TONY AT TEN, December 9, 2011: THE NEW MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION

 THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (WHICH SHOULD BE ABSORBED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT) IS: “The Ministry of Transportation is committed to creating a balanced and effective transportation system that supports strong communities that offer a high quality of life.”

 IT IS CLEAR THAT IN THE PAST, THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES LOCATED IN SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO HAVE BEEN HUGELY FAVOURED OVER THOSE TO THE EAST AND NORTH. FOR EXAMPLE, HWY 407 IMPROVES COMMUTER ACCESS TO THE WEST BY LINKING THE QEW HEADING WEST; WHILE THE QEW/GARDINER EXPRESSWAY TO THE EAST ENDS AT THE DON VALLEY PARKWAY IN TORONTO.  THE 404 CONTINUATION OF THE DVP WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO GO TO BEAVERTON. PRESENTLY IT REMAINS INCOMPLETE AT GREEN LANE, APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES BEYOND NEWMARKET. THE 404 IS A TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE DUE TO POOR PLANNING AND DESIGN.  A CHILD PLAYING WITH DINKY TOYS AND IMAGINED ROADWAYS COULD HAVE DONE BETTER! THE 407 LINK TO EAST HAS BEEN LANGUISHING FOR YEARS AND IS PLANNED TO LINK WITH HWYS 35/115. AGAIN COMMUNITIES TO THE NORTH REMAIN UNIMPORTANT IN THE EYES OF THIS MINISTRY. AN OBVIOUS SOLUTION WOULD BE TO CREATE A 4 LANE HWY FROM THE NORTHERN JUNCTION OF 35/115 TO LINDSAY.

WHERE IS THE BALANCE MISTER MINISTER?

PRESENTLY THERE EXISTS A RAIL CORRIDOR TO LINDSAY ONTARIO.  GO TRANSIT NEEDS A STOP AT LINDSAY.  WHY IS THIS AREA IGNORED?  THIS COMMUNITY CAN ONLY GROW AND FLOURISH WITH IMPROVED ACCESS TO LARGE MUNICIPALITIES.  AS LINDSAY GROWS; SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES FLOURISH.  WHERE ARE OUR ELECTED VOICES?

 - TONY