• ignore the immediate transportation relief and economic advantage possible by using Highway 407 for trucks
• expend money that can better be used in other areas such as transit, health care or affordable housing
• impact many species at risk habitats, including two endangered species
• eliminate thousands of acres of irreplaceable prime farmland
• impact four watershed headwaters areas, with an estimated 85 river & stream crossings
• transect highly vulnerable aquifers, groundwater recharge areas and wellhead protection areas
• contribute to sprawl development, contrary to smart growth principles and climate targets
• require over 100,000 truckloads of aggregate from surrounding areas
• create over a decade of truck traffic, dust and noise through the construction of this highway

With 2 million people moving to York, Peel and Halton Regions over the next 30 years, there is a need to add more transportation capacity both for people and for freight. A two-pronged solution is recommended:

· For freight movement, providing a truck toll rebate on the underutilized Highway 407 has been suggested by many experts, including a provincial advisory panel. Economic analyses show this is substantially more cost-effective than building and operating a new $8-$10B new expressway.

· Public transit can move more people more cost-effectively than any expressway. There are numerous unfunded rapid transit projects in this region that could be constructed with $8-$10B dollars, including new and improved GO Trains to Bolton, Kitchener and Milton and increased bus rapid transit and light rail transit in Vaughan and Brampton.