October 30, 2003
For Immediate Release

The Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment (CONE) has been monitoring decisions made by the NEC - the provincial agency responsible for controlling development on the Niagara Escarpment - since 1978.

"This report card is based on whether the Commissioner is adhering to the long-standing provincial policies of the Niagara Escarpment Plan in the votes that they make," said Jason Thorne, Executive Director of CONE.

According to CONE, Caplan voted in support of the Niagara Escarpment Plan on most applications, including several applications for residential and commercial developments in the Escarpment countryside that, if approved, would have violated the province's Escarpment policies. CONE also applauded Caplan for his support for a full environmental assessment for the proposed Mid Peninsula Highway.

However, in the case of some large, controversial proposals, Caplan voted against the Plan's provisions. These include a proposal to expand the massive Dufferin Aggregates quarry at the Escarpment edge near Milton and the decision to allow the spreading of sewage sludge on Escarpment lands.

CONE also criticized Caplan for his support of the Red Hill Creek Expressway.

"The Niagara Escarpment Plan has been in place for nearly 20 years now," said Thorne. "It has enjoyed support from provincial governments of all political parties. It has been admired around the world as a model for controlling development in environmentally sensitive areas. And it has successfully held back urban sprawl on the Escarpment. By voting against the Plan on some critical cases, Mr. Caplan risks undoing all of that."

CONE's report card graded each of the eight Commissioners who were appointed by the provincial Cabinet to represent the municipalities that the Escarpment crosses. The report card did not provide grades for the nine public-at-large appointees. A report card including grades for all 17 Commissioners is slated for release in January 2004.

Caplan was appointed as Hamilton's representative in March 2001. Although he was appointed by the provincial Cabinet, he was nominated for the position by Hamilton Council. That is why CONE has released this report just prior to the municipal elections.

"Municipal voters don't elect Commissioners directly, but who they choose as municipal councillors will go a long way toward determining who ends up representing Hamilton on the NEC," said Thorne. "We want voters to keep that in mind on election day, because Hamilton deserves nothing less than 'A+' protection for the Escarpment."

The key to 'A+' protection, according to CONE, is knowing when to say 'no.'

"Commissioners who received 'A' grades still voted to approve well over 95% of the development applications that came before them, because those applications met the provisions of the Niagara Escarpment Plan," said Thorne. "But those NEC members recognize that not all development is good. For the small number of applications that come forward that violate the provisions of the Niagara Escarpment Plan, an 'A' Commissioner knows when to say 'no.' "

Caplan was the only municipal member on the NEC who received a 'C' grade from CONE. CONE awarded 'A' grades to the representatives of Simcoe County, Peel Region and Dufferin County and handed 'F' grades to the Commissioners for Halton Region, Grey County and Bruce County. Niagara Region's representative received a 'D+.'

Jason Thorne, Executive Director
Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment
P: (519) 853-4955
Cell: (416) 892-4861