Motion for interim injunction dismissed

Waterloo Region - Today, the Superior Court of Justice in Kitchener dismissed the motion for an interim injunction to stop ION Stage 1 Light Rail Transit (LRT).  The Court agreed with the Region’s position, and assessed costs against the applicant.

“We have always felt strongly that this claim was unfounded and without substance,” said Regional Chair Ken Seiling. “We are pleased with the Court’s decision and look forward to moving ahead with ION.”

The application claimed that the Region’s LRT project did not conform to the Region Official Policies Plan (ROPP) and was contrary to Section 24 of the Ontario Planning Act. The notice also claimed that the Region did not follow the Environmental Assessment processes required by the Federal and Provincial governments.

“The ROPP was amended in April 2007 with Amendment 26,” said Seiling. “This amendment, which is in force and in effect in the Region, includes policies related to rapid transit. We are in full compliance with Section 24 of the Ontario Planning Act.”

The Region’s Environmental Assessment and Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP) was approved by the Ontario Minister of Environment on May 17, 2012.  On November 3, 2011, Transport Canada confirmed that a Canadian Environmental Assessment was not required for the Region’s rapid transit project.

A staff recommendation to award GrandLinq the design, build, finance, operate and maintain contract for LRT between Kitchener and Waterloo was approved by a vote of 10-4 by the Planning and Works Committee on March 4. The recommendation will come before Regional Council on Wednesday.

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 For more information please contact:

 Bryan Stortz, Director of Corporate Communications 519-575-4408