Mark Holland talks infrastructure needs

PICKERING -- Why is the recently-announced rail link from Union Station to Peterborough planning a stop on the Federal Airport Lands? asks Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland.

"Are they already going ahead and planning infrastructure before an airport has even been approved?" he said.

This is just one of the concerns Mr. Holland raised at his Town Hall meeting Friday night, held to address Durham's transportation priorities. He doesn't understand why an infrastructure project low on Durham's priority list was chosen over other needs. Of the $500 million that was allocated to transit infrastructure in the federal budget, he said $300 million is dedicated to the Peterborough line.

"I don't know about you, but when I make a priority list, I don't choose from the 60s," he said, adding the public should have been consulted, especially since the line was cancelled in 1991 due to low ridership.

Ray Laxton used to take the train from Peterborough to Union Station for work, and said there was never more than 50 passengers. He said taking a Greyhound bus into Oshawa would make more sense.

Pickering resident Ted Gauder noted how long it took to extend the eastbound GO Train from Pickering to Whitby.

"It was a big deal to get it there and it was really needed," he said, indicating the Peterborough line decision came quickly.

Mr. Holland suggested an idea, but stressed it's his own, not necessarily the Liberal party's: putting one per cent of the GST toward infrastructure needs. He said since the Conservatives reduced the GST from seven to five per cent, it left the federal coffers dry. He suggested making the GST six per cent, resulting in $5 billion being invested in infrastructure each year for environmentally sustainable projects. Money would be handed out to those who can demonstrate they'll use the money for environmentally-friendly means.

"Can you imagine where that can take us?" he said.

He also said communities must be planned differently to take away the need to drive from one plaza to another for example. Mr. Holland said Portland, Oregon is a prime example of a livable city, which has strict rules about building in urban areas.

"It grew up instead of out," he said. "Now Portland is an incredibly livable city."

He also said it would make sense to build on top of old small plazas with large parking lots, but said it can be expensive, so people tend to build on green lots.

Glenna Duncan, part of a single-vehicle family, noted how dangerous riding a bicycle is with the lack of dedicated bike lanes. Mr. Holland said it's true, we have to build more holistic communities, and plan for things like bike paths ahead of time - much easier than adding them after the fact.

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