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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 30 ,2 01 8 | 14 higher rates of obesity than those in more in- ner cities who are more likely to use forms of active transit like walking and cycling. "When you have to drive everywhere for everything, you get fat," he said, adding that the reliance on vehicles "creates a lot of green- house gas problems." The increase in the average size of houses also poses an environmental concern: homes are using more energy for heating and cooling that their smaller counterparts. "The current pattern is not sustainable en- vironmentally," he said. Gordon says that in the next decades, Ca- nadian towns and cities will be faced with a crisis in funding road maintenance and infra- structure upkeep. Some of these projects are funded through development charges currently, but once an area is built-out, that source of income cannot be relied upon. "We have an infrastructure maintenance problem of massive proportions," said Gor- don. Some areas, like the community around Mount Pleasant GO station near Brampton are models for sustainable excellence, he said, however, only a short distance away housing resumes to the typical car reliant communi- ties. He says historic downtown Oakville is also a move in the right direction. "Only a small portion of Oakville residents live in the historic downtown," he said, noting that the northern parts are very vehicle-cen- tric. Over 99 per cent of growth in the Toronto metropolitan area is in the outer, vehicle reli- ant ring, where 70 per cent of the city's pop- ulation resides. Halton Hills planner Jeff Markowiak says that he's not shocked by the study's findings and that planners have been trying to circum- vent these issues in new suburbs, like Vision Georgetown a 1,000-acre development set to break ground in 2021. "If you look at a lot of the newer urban boundary expansions," he said. "They're a lot more dense than in the post war area." He says the Vision Georgetown plans were made specifically to connect to the rest of the community with walking and biking trails, as well as be transit accessible. "There is a lot more effort put up front," he said. Gordon says that Georgetown is like other small towns in Ontario that used to have a cer- tain percentage of individuals that biked or walked to work, but with the rise of subdivi- sions being built slightly further away from the downtown or employment areas, even those who live and work in town are driving. NEWS Continued from page 1 QUEENS PROFESSOR WARNS OF SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS THE ISSUE: URBAN SPRAWL THE IMPACT: INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS LOOMING IN VEHICLE-DEPENDENT COMMUNITIES THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY According to a Queen's University professor, development in the suburbs -- like here in Halton Hills -- could have social, environmental and economical impacts. The IFP takes a closer look at the issue. Come Sing With Us! The Gaudeamus Choirs of Halton Hills welcomes singers of all levels of experience to our: • Music Makers - ages 5 & 6 • Level 1 Andante Choir - ages 7 & 8 • Level 2 Animato Choir - ages 9 - 15 • Level 3 Spirito Choir - ages 14 and up Our conductor, Diane Murray-Charrett, M.Mus.Ed, BMusEd, brings years of experience working with the developing young voice. Excellent music is selected to develop musicianship, music literacy, and magical performances! Great friendships develop through shared singing, come join our choir family! Contact us today! • www.gaudeamuschoirs.com 416-895-2697 • gaudeamus@cogeco.ca 221 Miller Dr., Georgetown 905-873-6776 www.GenesisHealthTeam.com WALK-IN & FAMILY CLINICFAMILY CLINIC Walk-in and Appointment Call for details Platinum 2018 Halton Hills Miller Dr. M ou nt ai nv ie w Rd .S 8t h Li ne M ai n St 15 Sd. Rd. Eaton St. 10 Side Rd Opposite to Allison's Farm Market Indoor house league is available for recreational players U5 (born in 2014) to U18 (born in 2001). This fun, affordable league runs from the beginning of November to the end of February 2019 at the Dufferin Centre in Acton. U8-U12 Rep Team ID Day Sept 9th U13 and older Rep Tryouts Sept 29th & 30th at TSP & 30th at TSP Visit georgetownsoccerclub.com today for details! INDOOR REGISTRATION STARTS SEPTEMBER 1st! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!