TORONTO — Attorney General of Ontario Doug Downey issued a statement following the federal government’s decision it is not conducting an impact assessment of Ontario Place under its Impact Assessment Act.
“I am urging them to similarly get out of the way so that our government can get shovels in the ground on Highway 413,” he said.
“Until the federal government provides the certainty we need by acknowledging that its unconstitutional legislation doesn’t apply to this vital infrastructure project, Ontario will continue to move forward with our judicial review of Highway 413.”
On Oct. 13, the Supreme Court of Canada released an opinion that held the vast majority of the federal government’s Impact Assessment Act was unconstitutional, states a release, adding the federal government’s refusal to accept that decision prompted Ontario’s immediate application for judicial review for Highway 413 and Ontario Place.
The province is using the legal tools at its disposal to ensure infrastructure projects can proceed without unnecessary delay caused by federal overreach.
The government’s Ontario Place plan has faced opposition from some community groups and members of the public, with an underground parking garage for more than 2,000 cars paid for by the government and the long-term nature of a lease with European company Therme for a $350-million spa and waterpark facing particular criticism.
Recent Comments
comments for this post are closed