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3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, April 10, 2009 Metrolinx prepares for next step without politicians on board By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Halton's political representatives on the boards of both GO Transit and Metrolinx have been removed from the Province along with other municipal politicians. The government recently introduced legislation to merge GO into Metrolinx, up to now a transportation planning agency, into a single corporation. The corporation would have extraordinary powers including the ability to develop, own and operate, or contract out operations of, any transit line the Minister of Transportation deems a regional transit system. If the legislation, Bill 163, is passed, the Minister could also issue transportation planning policy statements that could force municipalities like Halton to adjust their own transportation plans to ensure compliance, similar to how the Region is now updating its official plan to come in line with the Province's Places to Grow Act of 2006. To oversee the transition of the corporation to this new GTA transportation and planning body, the Province has created a new board of directors made up of financial, planning and transit experts but no elected politicians. Former Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac will continue on as parttime chair of Metrolinx and serve on the board. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, who sat on GO's board, said he supported the change in board makeup. "The shift to a professional/business board composition is bound to be good for the success of the corporation they're creating," Burton explained. Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, who sat on the Metrolinx board, said he would have preferred the Province retain some municipal politicians along with the private sector representatives on the new Metrolinx board. "I thought we could lose a lot of talent around the table," he explained. Carr disputed reports that there was conflict among the politicians on the previous Metrolinx board as it devised the $50 billion, 25-year regional transportation plan dubbed The Big Move, approved late last year. "We really were not parochial. There was give and take," said Carr. "But I recognize the Province is the one spending the money," he added. "It they (the Province) are funding it, they obviously have the right to say who's on there." The Province has provided the overwhelming majority of funds for GO, an agency of the Ministry of Transportation. In 2007-08, the GTA municipalities and Hamilton provided about $47 million to GO, the federal government $72 million, and the Province $605 million. The gap has widened since then as the 905 municipalities have refused to use any tax dollars to fund GO, and have only remitted to GO what has been collected for the transit agency through development charges. Metrolinx was created by provincial legislation in 2006 to come up with a transportation plan for the GTA and Hamilton area. The plan was backed by the Province's commitment of $11.5 billion transit funding announced by the government prior to the last provincial election. "Metrolinx thus far has been a planning agency," said MacIsaac. "Our focus is now changing from planning to implementation." Guaranteed Perfect Fit. Get it at New Balance Oakville. Our dedicated Procare Fit Specialists are recognized for their expert knowledge of foot health and foot treatment. They'll measure your foot, analyze your gait and determine your foot type. With footwear in multiple widths (4A-6E) and sizes (5-20), we guarantee you the perfect fit for your lifestyle and activities. And we get the latest New Balance Men's 1063 Cushioning Running Shoe Also Available in Women's RETAIL & WHOLESALE LIGHTING New Home Renovation Tax Credit includes Lighting Fixtures We match the Ontario Tax Credit. See Store for Details. Lighting Purchase $ EXAMPLE Ontario Tax Credit Store Rebate $ .50 - $ .50 PURCHASE $ products, like the new 1063, 30 days before anyone else. TOTAL 2500 - 337 337 = 1,825 YOUR SAVINGS = $675 Featuring lighting from Upper Oakville Shopping Centre Upper Middle Rd. East & 8th Line 905.337.9393 Oakville's Finest Lighting Store in the Oakville Home Improvement District ELEGANT Trump Home · Troy · Hudson Valley · Stonegate Design · Heidle and much more FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN CANADA www.conceptlighting.ca DISTINCTIVE OPEN SUNDAYS 243 Speers Road · Between Kerr & Dorval · Oakville, ON 905.849.LITE (5483)