| October 5, 2001 |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Windsor, Ontario -
Last night, the Windsor Essex County Air Quality Committee (WECAQC) endorsed two motions requesting Provincial and Federal funding for a regional transit network linking Windsor and Essex County. The motions, introduced by the Citizens Environment Alliance (CEA), are part of the CEA’s overall efforts to encourage the implementation of the Windsor Essex County Air Quality Action Plan.
The Air Quality Action Plan, passed by both City Council and County Council in May 2000, recommends the following: “Develop and implement regional transportation plan with a view to improving air quality.”
The motions, passed by a three-to-two vote, were presented as follows:
“…we call upon Parliament to work with interested individuals, organizations and corporations, the Province of Ontario and local municipal governments to provide funding to address the need for a regional public transit system throughout the County of Essex and City of Windsor.”
“…we call upon the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to work with interested individuals, organizations and corporations, the Government of Canada and local municipal governments to provide funding to address the need for a regional public transit system throughout the County of Essex and City of Windsor.”
Shockingly, two members of the Air Quality Committee voted in opposition to these motions.
Paul Hanson of DaimlerChrysler Canada - representing the local industrial sector, and Jim Reid, Deputy Mayor of Leamington - representing Essex County Council.
“The fact that this motion barely passed this advisory committee speaks volumes,” said Shawn Hupka, President of the Citizens Environment Alliance. “There are reasons why this committee is completely ineffectual,” he continued.
For more information contact:
Shawn Hupka
President, Citizens Environment Alliance
(519) 973-1116