Now that she found her way down here, if she keeps speaking like this, we may have to welcome her more often!
Donna Cansfield was a real surprise. Where has Dalton McGuinty been hiding her? For once, a Canadian politician who actually takes a position on some of the border issues in a clear manner that can be understood. If she keeps her promises to come down here once a month, Sandra and Dwight might see their power usurped by this lady! She will be more important to Windsor than they!
Now of course, she did not tell us everything. Some matters are clearly in flux. However, it looks like the Ontario Transportation Minister delivered a very provocative speech to the Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Much stronger than I expected. I also heard that she had a meeting with some of the snake and tree huggers at Ojibway and made a shocking remark that will probably be edited from the news coverage.
I was told that she did not acknowledge our Mayor in her remarks even though he was sitting at the Head Table. In watching his interview on TV after her speech, he looked very uncomfortable with what she had to say. If true, was it a mistake, breach of protocol or deliberate snub right back at him! If you ask me, if true, then I think she cut him off at the knees.
Of course YOU want to know, dear reader, what she said , not filtered by some media type. So I went out and got a copy of the speech for you which I have posted below.
It's a good thing I did too. If you read the Star story, the Bridge Co. owner got more coverage than the Minister did. There was nothing about her speech. The online version had just this comment:
- "Her chamber of commerce luncheon speech at the Caboto Club emphasized many of the same points raised by other federal and provincial cabinet ministers, that any solution will protect Windsor’s environment, provide better traffic flow and improve the quality of life in the city."
In summary though, what did the Minister really say? I have highlighted a number of sections in the speech that are significant. But what she did NOT say is important too.
- See if you can find anything in her speech that could help out DRTP? Oh yes, a tunnel was mentioned but not along the DRTP corridor.
- The "Huron Church/Highway 3" corridor was mentioned as the main focus, not the DRTP corridor. In fact, CBC TV News reported last night that she said DRTP is "off the map!"
- Her Letter to the Editor’s "leadership" language is gone too. I guess the Feds reminded her who was in charge!
- What happened to the mention of Eddie's Tunnel Plaza Improvement? After all, wasn't it part of the Phase 1 deal? Will that become dead too since $30 million for a parking lot is absurd.
- The fact that she mentioned twice that "fifty per cent of cross-border truck traffic [is] directly connected to the regional economy and regional jobs" clearly means that a customs area out at Highway 401, as DRTP is now suggesting, makes no sense. Local traffic would waste time and money going out there.
- While the Minister did NOT mention the Ambassador Bridge either, (she is NOT going to be made a municipal election issue) the road she is talking about and the fact that 50% of traffic is local suggests to me that their enhanced project is still in the running.
- Sure she talked about a "new crossing" [but ONLY in the briefest of manner] but with traffic going into the toilet, who could afford to build it and run it? Note though the comment: Highway 3 is a provincial highway and has been for 75 years. That road was built for the Ambassador Bridge
Here are some mattters she did speak about and why they are significant:
- The issue respecting designated inspection lanes for the specific use of trucks with pre-border security clearance under the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) and NEXUS programs is precisely why the Bridge Co. is looking at their enhancement program for a bridge with extra lanes for such traffic
- Oh yes, the gracious mention of a tunnel but the reality:"new truck emissions standards come into effect in January 2007 [that] will eventually cut emissions by more than 90 per cent."
- She did her math and engineering numbers very well too. Just around the time the new bridge will be built in 2013 " by the year 2012 – 2014 trucks will have these new engines with reduced harmful emissions."
- There will be no tunnel. There should be nothing more clear now after her comments that if anyone thinks that Governments are going to spend billions on a problem that will not exist in future, then they are fooling themselves and, if a local politician, the community!
- I must admit that I did not understand this line: The access road to the new crossing will continue to be consistent with the existing homes and businesses along Highway 3/Huron Church Road. That won’t change. Does that mean no one will be expropriated?
- Now for Ojibway and a truck route through it. Do you think it is going to happen after the Minister said "This is a fragile and important community resource, recognized around the world for its uniqueness. We are working with all levels of government to keep it the way it is, for current and future generations to come."
- More than that, if the media people have the guts to report it, she apparently said something along the lines of "with few natural and such low tree cover in this region, what kind of ***** would ever consider putting a highway through here." [fill in the blank for yourself] I gather she is a strong conservationist.
Note that she backed off completely from her previously published comment that the Bridge would be publicly owned in the Star interview saying now that "the next Windsor-Detroit crossing will "definitely have public oversight, but we will look at a variety of options when it comes to ownership." One of the 41 staffers finally gave her the party line on that!
It seems clear that the Province has had just about had enough of our Mayor and Council. And the Province, until recently, was Eddie's ally against the Feds. It also seems clear that the Feds have exercised a bit of muscle given the differences in tone between Cansfield's Letter to the Editor and her speech. After all, the Feds have lots of money around with a $13.2 Billion surplus, some of which Ontario can use for say, a subway in Toronto.
It should be interesting after the municipal election to see what happens. Unfortunately for us, we won't have a seat at the table. That was squandered by this Mayor and Council. All that we can hope for now is that the Senior Levels take pity on us!
- Remarks for The Honourable Donna Cansfield
Thank you, Neal [Belitsky, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel]. Good afternoon.
I’m very pleased to be here to speak to you today. When I became Minister of Transportation I made a pledge to come here often to visit your beautiful city.
I was pleased to be invited to address you today. The business community has played a huge role in Windsor’s prosperity since the Great Western Railway was established in 1854 and Hiram Walker built his distillery in 1858.
The Windsor of this century faces a unique challenge. Prosperity has become inextricably linked to the free flow of goods and people across this international border. Windsor is a city that works, with fifty per cent of cross-border truck traffic directly connected to the regional economy and regional jobs.
This is Canada’s busiest international border crossing. I want to assure you that increasing border capacity at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway is the McGuinty government’s number one economic infrastructure priority.
But we are also deeply aware that any solution must consider the quality of life of the people who live here – that includes air quality, which I know is very important in this community.
We want everyone in Windsor to know that the McGuinty government is taking a thorough and balanced approach to finding a solution to border congestion that works for everyone.
Key messages:
• Increasing border capacity at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway is the McGuinty government’s number one economic infrastructure priority.
• Community input is essential to choosing a preferred site for a new crossing and the governments of Canada, the US, Michigan and Ontario are on schedule to open a new crossing by 2013.
• The McGuinty government cares about the local economy, jobs, air quality and general quality of life of people who live in Windsor and Essex County and is making progress on several projects to address border congestion.
Local Presence
We are here. We care. We are listening. And we are progressing with the Detroit River International Crossing because we know how critical it is to the prosperity of Canada, Ontario and especially your businesses, your community and your families.
You know, a lot of people are talking about the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) study and border issues these days – and that’s a good thing. It shows that people are engaged and care about what happens in their community.
So are we. We’re working hard to get our messages out and make sure that people have all the facts about this important project. We value your opinion and your input. And to make sure we get it right, we’ve set-up a team in Windsor with people who know and love their community.
Since my appointment in the spring, I have made a personal commitment to be here about once a month.
Our office in Windsor is staffed by people from Windsor, so that residents have access to the latest information. Many of you may know Steve Salmons. He’s from Windsor. He knows Windsor. He knows me and he knows I care about Windsor and Steve is here to advise me and to help me understand your perspective and to ensure local voices and concerns are heard.
We also have a project team, that some of you may know, like Ray Mantha, Michael Kergin and Janice Coffin and many others who bring the best talent available for this project. Senior staff, with decades of experience on many complex projects have been brought together to bring their considerable knowledge and skills to your community.
Some of you may have heard that we’re proposing a 12-lane superhighway that will divide the city in half. Actually, what we are proposing is a six-lane roadway to accommodate the increase in cross-border traffic. We’re considering five options for this roadway, including a tunnel. In all options, international traffic be separated from local traffic.
We know you are concerned about the impact of this roadway. That’s why all of the alternatives under consideration will separate international traffic from local traffic … minimize air pollution and noise … and improve the overall transportation in this community.
We’ve heard your concerns that an increase in truck traffic will increase air pollution in Windsor and Essex County. Our air quality specialists are working with provincial and federal agencies to identify the air quality impact of the various options.
Air monitors have been placed along the Huron Church/Highway 3 corridor – I visited the site this morning.
This is an extraordinary step in response to what we’ve heard from the community.
Air quality modelling is an essential part of the DRIC air quality assessment. Computerized models will allow us to make informed and reliable decisions about the air quality impact of the new crossing, plaza and access road.
People in Windsor and Essex County should also know that new truck emissions standards come into effect in January 2007. A combination of new engines and lower-sulphur fuel will eventually cut emissions by more than 90 per cent.
The average truck life is about five to seven years, according to the transport industry… that means by the year 2012 – 2014 trucks will have these new engines with reduced harmful emissions.
The access road to the new crossing will continue to be consistent with the existing homes and businesses along Highway 3/Huron Church Road. That won’t change. Highway 3 is a provincial highway and has been for 75 years, the only difference is the trucks using this road will now be headed for the international border instead of city streets.
This morning, I had the privilege of visiting the Ojibway Prairie Complex and learning more about the many rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals that can be found there. It is considered to be one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada, and a designated Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and Provincial Park.
Families living in the Windsor area directly benefit from this precious natural resource, which not only provides breath-taking outdoor walking trails and recreational space, but also improves air and water conditions through its ecosystem.
This is a fragile and important community resource, recognized around the world for its uniqueness. We are working with all levels of government to keep it the way it is, for current and future generations to come.
Sustainable transportation
All of us in this room know how important it is to clear the backlogs at our borders. We know that quick, reliable and safe transportation is vital to our jobs, economic success and quality of life.
Sustainable transportation is also vital. As Minister of Transportation, sustainable transportation and the protection of our environment is one of my highest priorities.
When we look at solutions to border delays, … removing truck traffic from residential neighbourhoods, … keeping goods and people moving safely and efficiently, … we want to bring the knowledge of our own experience and the experience of other countries. We’ve learned that any solution must be a sustainable one.
Some of our border crossings, including Windsor, have designated inspection lanes for the specific use of trucks with pre-border security clearance under the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) and NEXUS programs. These programs help eliminate congestion at our border crossings.
Many of you may have heard that American legislators are proposing a 17-month delay in requiring Canadians to produce a passport to enter the United States. If this proposal were successful, these new requirements would come into effect June 1, 2009.
We want a transportation system that balances prosperity with the environment and our quality of life – one that works for the people who live here today and one that will work for the generations to follow. As I’ve said before, fifty per cent of cross-border truck traffic is from local business in the Windsor-Detroit area and we must build a sustainable transportation system to support local business.
DRIC update
The governments of Canada, the United States, Ontario and Michigan are committed to building a new Detroit River crossing by 2013.
Public input and consultation are an important part of the process. Since January 2005, we have conducted more than 100 public meetings, an average of twice a week. More are planned. We’ve listened and we will continue to listen. For example, as a result of community input, tunnelling from Highway 401 for all or part of the route to the new crossing is now being considered.
The tunnelling option is being considered equally as important as a surface or sunken roadway.
The best solution will not necessarily mean the cheapest. And again, we are looking for sustainable solutions that work for all of our partners for the next 30 years and more.
We are on track to identify a single, preferred option for a new crossing next year (2007), with design and construction to begin in 2010.
Let’s Get Windsor Essex Moving
The Let’s Get Windsor-Essex Moving strategy is another example of our commitment to improved traffic flow at the Windsor Gateway.
The strategy is a $300 million investment by the Government of Canada and Province of Ontario. This $300 million is in addition to the six-laning of 401 Windsor to Tilbury.
To date, nearly $20 million has been invested and several projects completed:
• A pedestrian bridge over Huron Church Road is providing safer access for students and residents
• We’ve made intersection improvements on Huron Church Road at Industrial Drive to accommodate trucks turning left to the pre-processing facility
• Intersection improvements on Highway 3 at Outer Drive and Walker Road, and
• Installed traffic cameras on provincial highways and city streets to monitor traffic approaching the border.
[NOTE: NOTHING MENTIONED ABOUT EDDIE’S TUNNEL PLAZA IMPROVEMENTS]
Constructing two new railway underpasses on Walker Road and Howard Avenue will also improve traffic flow along these two busy roads.
We also recently announced improvements to Manning Road to promote movement of goods in and out of Tecumseh and Lakeshore.
And we are installing signs to direct trucks carrying hazardous materials to the ferry crossing.
This is just some of the work that is being done now to address traffic issues at the Windsor-Detroit border.
Conclusion
I’ve mentioned the important working relationship between our other government partners in the Windsor-Detroit Gateway, including local municipalities, Transport Canada and our US partners in Michigan and Washington.
There is a lot of great work being done in this community with a lot more to come.
The support of the business community, … a strong partnership between all levels of government, … and input from the people who live in Windsor and Essex County … is critically important to us.
Border infrastructure issues are not new. They have developed over many, many years. The McGuinty government is looking ahead to develop solutions that work. We’re not looking for a “quick fix” when it comes to backlogs at the border.
We need long-term sustainable solutions.
Solutions that recognize our jobs and prosperity depend on an efficient border crossing …
Solutions that recognize the importance of security in today’s world climate …
Solutions that recognize the importance of strong communities and the quality of life of people who live here …
And solutions that look to the future, conserving our natural resources and respecting our environment.
A sustainable, safe and efficient transportation network to ease traffic flow at the Windsor-Detroit border is crucial to the local economy, jobs and quality of life of the people who live here, and travel through here.
And we want to get it right. So please, keep your comments, calls and letters coming – we want to work with you and we ask for your continuing involvement in, and support for this very important project.
Thank you.
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