Premier Ford announces construction of Highway 413 to begin in 2025

May 2, 2024 · 0 Comments

Critics say announcement is just “bluster”

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Highway 413 is going to be built, according to Premier Doug Ford.

Ford made the announcement at an April 30 press conference in Caledon.

“I’m thrilled to announce that construction on this highway will begin in 2025,” said Ford. “We’re already starting field work and land acquisition that will help make sure we get shovels in the ground on time.”

The Premier said in mid-May, the Province will host a market sounding event with “key private sector experts” to discuss ways to move construction of the highway forward quickly and efficiently.

Ford was joined at the press conference by David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Vijay Thanigasalam, Associate Minister of Transportation. Also at the announcement were Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, Region of Peel Chair Nando Iannicca, and representatives from numerous labour groups and industry associations.

“We’re getting shovels in the ground for new roads and highways… Highway 413 is going to be a game changer for the region,” said Ford, citing job creation and travel time reduction.

Tim Gray, the Executive Director of Environmental Defence, a non-profit that’s been leading advocacy efforts against Highway 413, said the announcement was just “bluster.”

“The Premier is hoping that bluster is going to help make people stay at home and not say anything about this, but I think he’ll be proven to be wrong…” said Gray.

Gray said Highway 413 will not save drivers any more than 30 seconds. He said allowing trucks to use the 407 would be a much better way to alleviate congestion on the 401.

“This highway is really not about transportation, it’s really about enabling sprawl,” said Gray. “It’s about building a highway to enable big boxes and warehouses and low-density sprawl on land owned by developers connected with the Provincial Government.”

The Premier said the Province is going to continue building highways and roads and said “we have more exciting announcements to come.”

The Province has started planning for the release of the first early works contracts for the highway, said Ford.

“It’s expected during construction, this project will support 3,500 jobs each year and add $350 million to Ontario’s GDP,” said Ford. “We look forward to building the 413 and to building Ontario.”

In an emailed statement, Caledon Mayor Annette Groves said environmental impact and road safety are key priorities for Caledon residents.

“With the Province moving forward with the 413, Caledon will bring a strong voice to protect the environment and consider impacts to species at risk to the joint environmental working group announced April 15,” said Groves. “We will also bring road safety and traffic flow, especially at planned interchanges in Caledon, to the planning and design tables, so the needs of residents and the business community are balanced.”

Phil Pothen, the land use and land development program manager for Environmental Defence, said Ford’s April 30 announcement was “wishful thinking.”

Pothen said Highway 413 will not be built so long as the federal government denies permits that would see federally-protected species at risk and their habitats destroyed; and, acts quickly to designate Highway 413 for a full impact assessment under the updated Impact Assessment Act.

“It’s not difficult to see why Premier Ford chose (April 30) for his press conference. (April 30) proposed updates to the Impact Assessment Act, which were tabled by the federal government as part of its budget implementation law — very clearly restore the power of the federal Minister of Environment, and the federal Cabinet to ensure the impacts of Highway 413 are thoroughly examined — by once again designating 413 for Impact Assessment,” said Pothen.