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3| The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,F ebruary 15,2018 theifp.ca COMPLIMENTARY TOwINg - ROAdsIdE AssIsTANCE* Like us on Facebook Like us on Facebook 82 Main St. N. Georgetown 905-873-6127 sERvICEs OffEREd: • Brakes • Steering / Suspension • Computerized Alignments • Exhaust • Tires • D.O.T. Safety • ... and more 021518 OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE SPECIAL $4995 February 28th, 2018 *Most Vehicles (Includes 30 Point Inspection) 021518 Ontario Drive Clean Test and Repair Facility for all light duty vehicles 82 Main St. N. Georgetown Bratin Auto Honest, Reliable Service Since 1989 Free Local Shuttle Service www.bratinauto.com north with Highway 407/ Highway 401 in the west. Studies have been ongoing since 2007. "The GTA West has been studied by the ministry for nearly a decade . The minis- try has spent over $14 mil- lion studying the corridor, with zero results," Jones said following Friday's an- nouncement. "The GTA West Corridor is a project that deserves a complete environmental study. Congestion will cost the GTA $7 billion a year by 2031, according to Metro- linx." The Ministry of Trans- portation (MTO) had initial- ly decided on a route that would have connected High- way 400 in Vaughan to High- way 407 in Halton Region near Milton, pending an en- vironmental assessment (EA). That required EA was put on hold in December 2015 after the ministry opted to commission an advisory panel to review the project. The panel recently came back with its recommenda- tions to the province. "A proposed highway in the GTA West corridor is not the best way to address changing transportation needs," the MTO stated in its news release. "A narrower corridor that is approxi- mately one-third of the size of the analysis area of the en- vironmental assessment will be protected from devel- opment while the province assesses what infrastruc- ture, such as new transit or utilities, will be needed to support the growing re- gion." Documents obtained through a freedom of infor- mation request by Jones, the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party's infra- structure critic, indicate the government had spent $14 million on the EA before it was halted to reassess the project. Jones said landowners and municipalities have been unable to plan for years. "Frankly, further de- lay is irresponsible and un- acceptable," she said prior to Friday's announcement. "People are spending more time in their cars stuck in traffic and less time with their families," said Ontario PC transportation critic Michael Harris. "There is a massive infra- structure deficit in Ontario, and this amounts to yet an- other disappointing broken promise from the Wynne Liberals." - With files from the Brampton Guardian NEWS l Continued from page 1 Highway would run through Halton BURLINGTON - Burlington MP Ka- rina Gould will be making Canadian history as the first federal cabinet min- ister to become a mom while still in of- fice. The minister of democratic institu- tions, who was the youngest to be ap- pointed to a ministerial portfolio in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabi- net shuffle in 2017, released a statement on Friday, Feb. 9 indicating she would be stepping down from her post after she gives birth to her and husband Al- berto Gerones' first child - expected sometime in March. "I will be back in Ottawa for one final sitting week before going home to Bur- lington and will continue to carry out my duties as minister of democratic in- stitutions until I give birth," Gould said. "I will return to the House - and to my ministerial portfolio - when the time is right for me and my family." Trudeau confirmed, through a statement also issued Feb. 9, Gould would be taking a leave of absence to go on parental leave and Kings - Hants, N.S. MP Scott Brison would be taking over as acting minister of democratic institutions, in addition to his role as president of the treasury board. Halifax, N.S. MP Andy Fillmore will continue as parliamentary secretary on the democratic institutions portfo- lio. "Our country is stronger when we empower decision-makers who reflect the diversity of Canada," Trudeau said in his statement. "Part of encouraging the next gener- ation of young women to run for office is demonstrating that our institutions are modern, family-friendly, and that the experiences they bring to the table will contribute to their success," he contin- ued. "Sophie and I congratulate Minister Gould as she makes Canadian history as the first federal cabinet member to give birth while in office. We wish her well during this exciting time and look forward to welcoming her and her fam- ily back to Ottawa when the time is right for them." Gould said she looked forward to joining other new parents in the House of Commons as proof it's possible to have a political career while starting a family. "I will keep working with colleagues in all parties to make the House a more family-friendly environment and en- couraging young women to run for of- fice, because when decision-makers re- flect the diversity of Canada, we achieve better outcomes for everyone." CANADA Burlington MP Karina Gould and Minister of Democratic Institutions. Twitter photo Gould to be Canada's first federal cabinet minister to give birth while in office JOHN BKILA jbkila@burlingtonpost.com