Ontario has reached an agreement with the federal government to move forward with the development of Highway 413, a decision that comes after a series of legal challenges and environmental concerns. The two governments have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint working group aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of the highway, particularly in federally regulated areas.
This development follows a legal dispute where Ontario contested the federal government’s decision to require a federal review of the project under the Impact Assessment Act. The province argued that this constituted an overreach of federal powers. Subsequently, the Supreme Court of Canada partially invalidated the Impact Assessment Act last fall, ruling that it overstepped in areas of provincial jurisdiction.
The proposed 52-kilometer highway, intended to link York, Peel, and Halton regions, is part of Ontario’s strategy to reduce traffic congestion and enhance public transit. However, the project has faced opposition from environmental groups and other stakeholders who argue that it would lead to increased urban sprawl, threaten the protected Greenbelt, and damage ecosystems that support species at risk, including certain frog and fish populations.
In response to these concerns, the Federal Court has now agreed to remove the project’s designation under the contested parts of the Impact Assessment Act, a move welcomed by both levels of government as a step towards balancing development and environmental protection.
Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault highlighted the collaboration as a testament to the shared commitment to environmental stewardship. He emphasized that the agreement would ensure the protection of at-risk species while allowing Ontario to proceed with the highway development under clearer regulatory conditions.
Meanwhile, Ontario’s Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria expressed gratitude towards the federal government for their cooperation and reiterated the economic necessity of the project. He noted that traffic congestion costs the Ontario economy an estimated $11 billion annually, underscoring the urgent need for improved infrastructure to support the province’s growing population.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in the Highway 413 project, with plans to begin construction on key interchanges in the near future.