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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 27, 2016 | 20 Transit Project Assessment Process - Public Meetings Our Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) is now home to nearly 7 million people ­ heading towards 10 million by 2041. This growth is a sign of success and opportunity. But as we grow, so too must our transportation network ­ the lifeblood that connects this great region and each of our communities. Metrolinx, an agency of the Government of Ontario, is bringing more transit and more connections to more places within the GTHA. Every community transit project, big or small, plays a vital role in the regional transportation system. We want to share our plans and get your feedback. Starting in November we will be hosting community open houses to share information and updates on three of Metrolinx's projects to build new track and electrification infrastructure. We will be seeking your input on these specific plans and feedback on proposed mitigation strategies: GO Rail Network Electrification Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) (Hydro One as co-proponents): gotransit.com/electrification · Environmental Baseline Condition Reports have been prepared, Impact Assessment Reports to evaluate potential environmental effects of the project are underway, and stakeholder consultation is in progress. The project is currently in the Pre-Planning Phase of the TPAP. · The focus of this round of public meetings will be to provide an update on the project and conceptual design of the Traction Power Supply and Distribution components. Barrie Rail Corridor Expansion TPAP: metrolinx.com/RERBarrie · The environmental assessment studies are prepared, which include a detailed overview of impacts to evaluate the environmental effects of the preliminary design. The project is currently in the Pre-Planning Phase. · The focus of this round of public meetings will be to provide an update on the project and seek feedback on the environmental impacts. Lakeshore East-Don River to Scarborough Expansion TPAP: metrolinx.com/DonRiverScarborough · The project is currently in the Pre-Planning Phase with existing conditions studies completed. · The focus of this round of public meetings will be on existing conditions. These meetings will also include information on the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) which guides the work being done to transform the transportation network in the GTHA. A review of the RTP is underway, providing the opportunity to formally incorporate new insights into the plan, while ensuring we maintain momentum on the projects underway. Information updates on other key studies and projects in your neighbourhood will also be provided. We invite you to join us in person at the public meeting nearest you to find out more. (Or, participate online at metrolinxengage.com) Meeting time: 6:30 p.m. ­ 9:00 p.m. / Presentation: 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2016 Hope United Church 2550 Danforth Ave. Toronto, ON M4C 1L2 Tuesday, November 15, 2016 Loretto College School 151 Rosemount Ave. Toronto, ON M6H 2N1 Tuesday, November 22, 2016 Sacred Heart Catholic High School 908 Lemar Rd. Newmarket, ON L3Y 1R9 Stay Connected All comments and feedback received will be documented and will help inform the Transit Project Assessment Process and the Environmental Project Reports that will be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Comments Invited Comments and information regarding these projects are being collected to assist in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. All personal information included in a submission ­ such as name, address, telephone number and property location ­ is collected, maintained and disclosed by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in s. 37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential. For more information, please contact Georgina Collymore (contact information below) or the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 416-327-1434. For more information, or to be added to the e-mail distribution list, please contact: Georgina Collymore Senior Advisor ­ Environmental Assessment Communications & Community Relations tel: 416-202-4921 / e-mail: electrification@metrolinx.com Metrolinx is working to provide residents and businesses in the GTHA with a transportation system that is modern, efficient and integrated. Find out more about Metrolinx's Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA, as well as GO Transit, PRESTO and Union Pearson Express at metrolinx.com. This Notice first issued on Monday, October 24, 2016. Pour plus de renseignements, veuillez composer le 416 874-5900 ou le 1 888 GET-ON-GO (438-6646). Wednesday, November 9, 2016 Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building) Room 717A and 718 222 Bremner Boulevard Toronto, ON M5V 3L9 Wednesday, November 16, 2016 Riverdale Collegiate Institute 1094 Gerrard St. E. Toronto, ON M4M 2A1 Wednesday, November 23, 2016 Cardinal Carter Catholic High School 210 Bloomington Rd. Aurora, ON L4G 0P9 Monday, November 14, 2016 Bramalea Secondary School 510 Balmoral Dr. Brampton, ON L6T 1W4 Thursday, November 17, 2016 Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute 3663 Danforth Ave. Scarborough, ON M1N 2G2 Thursday, November 24, 2016 Vellore Village Community Centre 1 Villa Royale Ave. Woodbridge, ON L4H 2Z7 Thursday, November 17, 2016 Cornell Community Centre 3201 Bur Oak Ave. Markham, ON L6B 0T2 Monday, November 28, 2016 Jean Vanier Catholic Secondary School 959 Midland Ave. Scarborough, ON M1K 4G4 Monday, November 21, 2016 Innisdale Secondary School 95 Little Ave. Barrie, ON L4N 2Z4 Tuesday, November 29, 2016 First United Church 151 Lakeshore Road West Mississauga, ON L5H 1G3 Scripts make talking real politics tough For additional information about these projects, please visit metrolinx.com OR metrolinxengage.com continued from p.18 Times have changed greatly since then with Rae noting everything at Parliament Hill is now scripted, especially the questions and answers during Question Period. He said when he was elected as a Liberal MP in 2008, he was asked by a staffer on his first day if he wanted to ask a question during Question Period. When he said `Yes' Rae said he was told to attend a "rehearsal." "The viewership of Question Period has gone down substantially," said Rae. "The reason for that is the whole thing is scripted. It's like you're watching WrestleMania. There is nothing spontaneous in it at all. It's all planned." Rae noted all parties ask questions related to their message of the day or month. He called this a terrible development, which has not only impacted Canada's political process, but America's as well. Rae argued that love or hate American presidential candidate Donald Trump, the tycoon-turnedcandidate says what is on his mind and that has struck a chord with some voters. The late Toronto mayor Rob Ford had a similar appeal, he said. Rae said this packaging of political messages and the conversion of Question Period to some kind of entertainment, trivializes the political process. "Our democracy is seriously challenged. There is no doubt about it," said Rae. "The dialogue that needs to happen, in terms of substance, is very difficult to have now. It's really disturbing to me, in particular, to watch one of the world's most significant democracies to go through the process we've had to watch over the last couple of months." During his presentation, Rae also touched on the struggles of Canada's aboriginal populations. He noted how deep-rooted were the attitudes that led to significant human rights abuses included the now infamous Residential Schools. "At the time of Confederation, the common expectation was that within 50 years there would be no aboriginal people. They would either be totally assimilated or they would be dead," said Rae. see It's on p.29