The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has initiated an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act for high speed rail (HSR) from Kitchener-Waterloo to London.
- Download Notice of Commencement (PDF - 113 KB)
The Process
This study will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The first step of the process is the preparation of a Terms of Reference. The Terms of Reference will set out the proponent’s framework and work plan for addressing the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act requirements when preparing the environmental assessment, including such things as the alternatives that will be considered and the public consultation activities that will be carried out. If approved by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Terms of Reference will provide the framework and requirements for the preparation of the environmental assessment.
In May 2017, the Premier of Ontario announced that the province would be moving ahead with the planning, design, and EA work for HSR. MTO is embarking on a transformative program to deliver HSR to Ontario – the first for Canada and one of the largest infrastructure projects in Ontario. High speed rail cuts down on travel times, gives people more low-carbon transportation options, and creates new opportunities for workers and businesses.
Consultation
Members of the public, agencies, Indigenous communities and other interested persons are encouraged to actively participate in the planning process by attending consultation opportunities or contacting staff directly with comments or questions. Consultation opportunities are planned throughout the planning process and will be advertised to the public and interested persons. A number of options will be used to advertise consultation opportunities such as, the project website (www.ontario.ca/highspeedrail), local newspapers and direct mail.
For further information on the proposed study, please visit our website at www.ontario.ca/highspeedrail or contact:
John Slobodzian
MTO Project Coordinator
2nd Floor, Garden City Tower
301 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7R4
tel: 905-704-2204
e-mail: john.slobodzian@ontario.ca
Nicole Zdero
MTO Policy Analyst
2nd Floor, Garden City Tower
301 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7R4
tel: 905-704-2213
e-mail: nicole.zdero@ontario.ca
All personal information included in a submission – such as name, address, telephone number and property location – is collected, maintained and disclosed by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for the purpose of transparency and consultation. The information is collected under the authority of the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act or is collected and maintained for the purpose of creating a record that is available to the general public as described in s.37 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Personal information you submit will become part of a public record that is available to the general public unless you request that your personal information remain confidential. For more information, please contact the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator at 416-327-1434.
