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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 16, 2015 | 16 GTAH mayors and chairs jump on rail issues by Rachael Williams Metroland Media Group Rail safety and provincial representation were atop the list of priorities at last Friday's Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton (GTAH) mayors and chairs meeting. Minister of Transport and Halton MP Lisa Raitt attended the meeting, held at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, to hear from GTAH mayors and regional chairs on issues surrounding transportation and infrastructure. Rail transit was a shared concern, including issues of ownership of rail lines, jurisdiction and mental health. "I'm not their (Canadian railway companies) Have crooked teeth? We can fix that! GOLD favourite person, but these are good topics," said Raitt, who has been a sharp critic in the areas of derailments, crashes and safety. Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey said any proposed changes to transit infrastructure requires prolonged negotiations with CN and CP , which collectively own Mayor Rob Burton a huge chunk of commercial railways throughout Canada. Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said he was all too familiar with this issue, regarding the Town's attempt to get two-way, all-day GO service to Milton. Raitt said Krantz has been pushing her for 18 months about ownership of rail lines, adding it's an issue that will be considered in future talks with both companies. Roger Anderson, chair of Durham Region, was hesitant to dig too deep into rail-related issues, as they fall under federal jurisdiction. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton reminded the mayors and chairs in attendance that municipalities have authority under their planning acts, which extend to issues that have a common boundary with railroads. "We might not want to throw that baby out too quickly," he added. In addition, Raitt reminded the attendees that the Canada Transportation Act is currently under review and all information received by mayors and regional chairs will be circulated back to Ottawa for consideration. Wayne Emmerson, York Region chair, asked Raitt if the federal government would be contributing any funding toward mental health, as more and more people are using rail lines to take their own lives. see Halton on p.23 330 Dundas St. E. Oakville 905-257-3182 info@klerdental.ca www.klerdental.ca Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate plus more Open evenings & saturdays (905) 827-8158 · www.rogerslandscaping.org We Supply... · Top Soil · Aggregates · Armour Stone · Tools · Interlock · Mulch · Service · Delivery eLements Buy 1 pair of prescription eyewear or sunwear & get the 2nd at fenDi.cOm Dorval Landscape OpenIng ApRIL 15 Anniversary check out the new Barnboard pavers 50%off *See in store for details. (rear of Bldg) 4th Line LAnDScApeeLeMenTS.cA 450 Wyecroft Rd., Unit 4 92 Dunn Street, Downtown Oakville lebeauoptical@gmail.com www.lebeauoptical.com QEW 905-845-3621 905-337-ROcK (7625) Wyecroft