Two municipalities near the Ontario government’s proposed Bradford Bypass highway are expressing new reluctance about the province’s attempt to fast-track the project.
Though the highway proposal was first conceived decades ago and has long been supported by the communities along its route, it’s facing new scrutiny amid backlash over another Ontario highway plan, the 413. The Ford government is seeking to expedite the bypass, which last underwent a full environmental assessment in 1997 and would cut through the protected Holland Marsh.
In the last two weeks, two local councils decided not to pass motions declaring their support for the project. On May 31, councillors in Barrie voted instead to pass a motion asking the province to do a comprehensive impact assessment and look at alternative routes. On May 26, a split council in neighbouring Innisfil hit an impasse on expressing a position at all, a departure from the town’s years of supporting the bypass.
Every year on May 5th, the Parliament of Canada recognizes ‘Dutch Heritage Day’ (also known as Bevrijdingsdag – Netherlands Liberation Day), commemorating the sacrifices made by Canadians to liberate the Netherlands from the German invasion during WWII, and forging a unique bond between the two countries.
On Wednesday May 5, the Dutch flag was raised in front of the Bradford courthouse by Mayor Rob Keffer, accompanied by local resident Albert Wierenga who has significant Dutch roots, his brother Carl Wierenga, and longtime resident Cor Den Bleker.
The annual flag raising signifies the end of the German occupation in the Netherlands in 1945 where over 7,600 Canadian soldiers were killed in a successful attempt to free the Netherlands.
Highway 401, seen from above, winds through Ontario s Greenbelt. The province is now proposing two highway projects that would cut through the protected area. Photo by Haljackey / Wikimedia Commons
The federal government is expected to announce this week whether it will take over the environmental assessment processes for two controversial Ford government highway projects.
The planned Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass would loop around the outer reaches of the Greater Toronto Area, cutting through portions of the ecologically sensitive Greenbelt. The federal government’s decision could have major implications for the future of both projects, which the Ontario government has sought to fast-track amid increasing backlash.
More transplant onions for Ontario this summer
Transplant onion plantings are increasing in Ontario for 2021.
“The transplants arrived the other day and we’ll start planting by the end of the week,” says Avia Eek of Eek Farms in Ontario’s Holland Marsh. Seed onions finished planting early last week.
The transplants arrived from the Keller Bros. Greenhouses Inc. in Beamsville, ON, which cultivates the transplants and then ships them to Eek Farms each spring. In all this year, Eek has approximately 20 acres of transplants. “Last year we did 12 acres but we’ve been slowly increasing our number of transplants because you get the early market,” says Eek. “It’s that window between Ontario fresh and American fresh. Seed onions aren’t ready until August or September but using transplants, we’re harvesting by mid-July so that’s a month’s jump on seed onions.” She notes that pricing tends to be higher for transplant onions as well which helps offset the higher
Ottawa has taken charge of the environmental assessment for the Ford government’s contentious Highway 413 project, but will leave a second controversial highway plan in Ontario’s hands.
The 413 which has come under increased scrutiny over its environmental impact in recent months will now be subject to a longer and more rigorous review. Many believe this effectively spells the end of the project. The planned highway, the subject of a
Torstar investigation published last month, would run through the protected Greenbelt. Canadians expect their governments to make decisions based on science and evidence that support environmental protection and economic growth, said federal Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson in a statement explaining the decision Monday.