Friday, June 30, 2023 3 Brooklin Town Crier As the saying goes, "knowing when to walk away is wisdom." That's true of the situation Whitby Council faced recently with respect to the Highway 7/12 Alternative Route Environmental Assessment. We know that growth is coming to Brooklin, and we know it will be important to find alternative routes for provincial traffic that do not go through the downtown. That said, we can't absorb the financial cost nor the environmental cost of the solution that was proposed. That's why, on June 19, I was among the Council members who voted to terminate the EA project. Somewhere along the way, we ended up with a preferred route that cuts a path through the Oak Ridges Moraine, an environmentally sensitive area that's home to hundreds of species of plants, mammals, fish, birds, and insects. The Town of Whitby has made it a priority to protect our environment through initiatives like our Zero Carbon Whitby Framework and Sustainability Plan. How can we make those commitments, then agree to pave over an irreplaceable natural resource like the Oak Ridges Moraine? Ultimately, this is about the Town of Whitby building a provincial highway on our dime. Whether it's funded through development charges or taxpayers, it's still coming out of the municipality's pocket. Town of Whitby staff have confirmed Bill 23 will add pressure for the Town to find additional non-development charge financing for this and other growth-related infrastructure projects. Many other municipalities in Ontario have a provincial highway that runs through their downtowns. But but it's not the norm for a municipality to build a highway as a solution. Why build a highway at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars, just so we can take control of two kilometres of highway through our downtown? The fact that this project has been underway for years doesn't mean we should continue to pursue it if it doesn't make sense - and this doesn't make sense. It's not my preferred route and it's not the preferred route for many of our residents. As often happens with projects of this magnitude, Council ended up falling down a rabbit hole that was difficult to climb out of. I'm pleased that we had the foresight to stop the process before any additional money was spent. I want to assure Brooklin residents that we are still committed to having care and control of the downtown and finding traffic solutions. The time is now to start meaningful discussions with the Ministry of Transportation about the real purpose of this work and solutions that respect the taxpayers and the environment. Brooklin's Community Newspaper Proud to be a Brooklinite Since 2000. Published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com • Circulation 8000 • Delivery via Canada Post Locally owned and operated. A publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: Email: mulcahy42@rogers.com Next Issue: Friday, July 28, 2023 Deadline: Friday, July 21, 2023 Brooklin TOWN CRIER.com 905.655.6200 • www.brooklineyecare.ca From the staff and doctors at Brooklin Optometric Centre! Congratulations Graduates! Your future looks bright! "One-of-a-Kind Golfing Experience" It Was Time To End Highway 7/12 Environmental Assessment By Elizabeth Roy, Mayor, Town of Whitby