Chris Schnurr
Carol Kosowan LL.B., B.A. (Law), B.A. (Policy)
I’ve got to hand it to reporter Dave Battegello – he is quite the wordsmith! Who else can make an Environmental Assessment about “bridge owner and billionaire transportation businessman Matty Moroun.” (Windsor Star, March 13, A2). If you recall my blog “Manufacturing Consent,” this article highlights many aspects of the propaganda model (bolded):
The article stated:
“Windsor residents concerned about plans by the Ambassador Bridge to twin its span…”
Now, an unbiased report would have stated, “Windsor residents wishing to comment on the plans by the Ambassador Bridge.”
The article then frames the debate around “billionaire Matty Moroun.” This information is not relevant to the story and I would proffer was included in the article to elicit a negative emotive (possibly expletive) response – henceforth, framing the issue and setting the tone for the article. Battegello then writes, “Environmental effects to be studied for EA approval are focused on air quality, human health and socio-economic factors. Public consultation must also adequately be performed by the bridge.” What he failed to include in this statement can be found on page 12 of the Draft Federal Environmental Assesment Guidelines, and that the Ambassador Bridge has been consulting the public regularily.
“The EIS should present a preliminary recommendation by the proponent as to whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, taking into account the appropriate mitigation measures.” In other words, unless the environmental effects on air quality, human health and socio-economic factors, are significantly adverse, then the EA process can proceed. The study also takes into account (page 5) “change that the project may cause in the environment…wildlife species, its critical habitat, or the residences of individuals of that species.”
But of course, Battegello has to support the “official political line” of the city which is “among those who have spoken against the project because of its environmental impact.”
One other point, “Transport Canada and the Windsor Port Authority invite public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment Guidelines concerning the Environmental Assessment…”
So, not only “concerned” citizens, but any citizen may comment on the guidelines - this isn’t a free-for-all-to-vent-anger at “billionaire Matty Moroun.”
Now, I would think that the EA would have to prove that the replacement bridge would have significant adverse effects over and above the effects of the current structure in place, of which I can’t seem to find any. Bridge volume is dropping, the structure will have wider lanes, as well as dedicated lanes, to expedite traffic – the new structure should improve traffic flow, which would have a positive effect on the environment.
I’m dismayed that our only local daily newspaper continues to offer its readers biased and selective information regarding something as important as our border, and ultimately economic future.
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we must NOT stop billionaire Matty Maroun – let him spend HIS money and not mine to construct another border crossing – if I want to invest my money in it I will invest in his companies, and not the bottomless pit the governments represent.
Hello, Mr. Schnurr. I hope this message finds you well. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you and WindsorCityBlog’s Mr. Arditti for providing me with an informative alternative to the Windsor Star and many other Canadian newspapers.
Though I wholeheartedly agree with your point about Windsor and Ontario politicians manufacturing consent, especially with regards to the “diabolical” Mr. Moroun, I still vote.
I’m experiencing difficulty understanding the arguments about Environmental Assessments. Concerns about diesel emissions and their impact on air quality are valid. But realistically, particulate matter from diesel fumes travel with trucks, so, in my opinion, it’s inane to complain about trucks idling on Huron Church when those same trucks have polluted the air from their place of origin to their desired destination. I myself have idled with trucks on Huron Church and can’t say that I didn’t notice the distinct characteristics of poor air quality. However, with the exception of maybe Northern Ontario, air pollution is bad virtually everywhere in Ontario, Toronto moreso. I’ve lived in Windsor, North Bay and Toronto, so I’m confident that my statement is accurate.
Heritage buildings? Come on! Heritage buildings aren’t important to everyone. Moreover, heritage buildings cost a lot of money to operate and/or retrofit. Besides, wouldn’t retrofitting heritage buildings defeat the purpose of designating heritage buildings? That’s just my opinion, though. I’m going to avoid commenting on possible archaeological sites in Windsor’s west end, mainly because of ambivalence.
To close, I must admit that I am, to a small degree, anticipating the future actions/decisions made by Eddie Francis, mainly because I want to find out if Mr. Arditti’s predictions will be fruitful! Maybe some Windsorites could start a pool designed around Mr. Arditti’s predictions, with some of the pool money being directed to The Capitol, the new arena, sidewalks, roads and that border thing. Thanks again!
Re: Taxpayer#999
My title, “We must stop billionaire Matty Moroun” is tongue “in-cheek” – that was the tone of the newspaper article.
Mr. Scherer:
Thank you for visiting and reading one man’s opinion – I think blogging is important and an evolution of “public” debate.
I too have lived in Toronto, Ottawa, and visited other cities such as Calgary and Vancouver – and concur with your statements. Pollution is a major issue in every major urban centre. Looking to the US is the perfect barometer to see what is coming our way in terms of dealing with this issue. Based upon what I’ve read, and seen in person, I know that we will not be having this conversation in 10-15 years.
New legislation and new standards are gradually being implemented to deal with the problem at its source. Granted, no solace to those that must experience it on a daily basis, however, there are effective methods to mitigate the impact until then – but sadly for our tunnel proponents, it’s not a tunnel.
The bigger question I have, however, is WHY ON EARTH, city planners built up and continue to build up Huron Church Road with commercial/residential? One would think (oops there’s that word) that since it has become the the defacto connection to the 401, planners of past and present would have realised that, even if NAFTA was not in existence, traffic volumes would have increased with population increase, moreso with the advent of the FTA and subsequently NAFTA.
While I have no general disagreements with Maroun twinning the Ambassador Bridge, I would like to respond to a common misconception about Maroun building the new bridge with “his money”. This is an example of Bridge propaganda as opposed to City propaganda.
A new bridge structure will cost on the order of $500-600 million US. Can Maroun “write” a cheque for that amount? Hardly, “billionaires” don’t have that kind of cash or even equities just lying around waiting to handed over to a contractor. It’s all tied up in assets, and he’s not about to liquidate any major assets for a new bridge.
I am no financial markets whiz by any stretch of the imagination, but I believe he would need to finance that construction then through a bond issue, through any number of mechanisms at his disposal most likely the Detroit Port Authority which he controls. Nonetheless, even if his bond rating is fantastic and the interest minimal, can he service the interest payments on a bond issue that size? Can he do it in the face of declining traffic volumes and falling toll revenues? Can he do it with a potential competitor bridge being built downstream by the MTO/MDOT?
No.
So is the game here that Maroun convinces everyone that he is private sector solution, that the DRIC bridge is a waste of taxpayer money and then, when the downstream bridge is killed and the twinning underway, then he comes and cries poor to the governments looking for assistance?
Mr. Maroun is a very good business man. Corporate handouts for mega-projects are the standard, not the exception (see every arena and stadium project built for billionaire owners). I would expect that if the Twinning wins and the DRIC bridge is stalled or killed outright, we will see the governements of the US and Canada footing most of the bill for the twinning.
In fact, I read about poor planning on this site!
“The bigger question I have, however, is WHY ON EARTH, city planners built up and continue to build up Huron Church Road with commercial/residential?”
On this my theory is this – the city was so scarred by the economic downturn in 1980-81 that an “any development is good development” mentality took deep root in the city leadership and bureaucracy. Where else do subdivisions of several hundred homes continue to be serviced by two-lane roads with no curb and gutter? Why are developers allowed to skate on providing proper infrastructure? It is the same mentality, to bend over backwards for anyone willing to sink two-cents into real estate in Windsor, that allowed Huron Church to get built up the way it did over the last 25 years.
Regarding Mr. Hickenbottom’s earlier comment. Yes – that is a severe problem on a provincial/federal level. I’ve never understood taxing businesses (taking from one hand) and then providing subsidies on the other – why not just cut out the subsidies altogether and reduce corporate taxes? Well, I do understand – helping out some friends, but I digress.
Regarding the bridge project, time will tell, but with all the public investments made, particularly on the US side with regards to infrastructure leading up to the bridge, and inevitably on our side, I do not believe the bridge company stands a chance of receiving any public financial assistance for construction.
If they do, I’ll be one of the first to protest (though knowing full well that won’t accomplish much).
Several of you want to blame city planners for allowing development along Huron Church Road. But I have someone better to blame: the citizens of Windsor. It was the citizens of Windsor who did not want the 401 built all the way to the Ambassador Bridge.
If the 401 was built all the way to the Ambassador Bridge, we wouldn’t be wasting time and money coming up with alternative routes and the the second span at the Ambassador Bridge would likely already be under construction.
For reasons I do not understand, Windsor is afraid of the 401. When former Traffic Commissioner, John Tofflemire suggested extending Lauzon Parkway to the 401 at the Province’s expense, the Council of the day shot that proposal down in seconds. Most other cities near or along the 401, jump at the opportunity of infrastructure improvements between their roads and highways and the 401.
In Kitchener, numerous improvements have been made and are underway to Highway 8 from Highway 401 to the Conestoga Parkway. This is in addition to the widening of the 401 and improvements to various interchanges. After Toyota announced they are building their second assembly plant in Woodstock, the Province quickly began improving the 401 east of Highway 403.
When the 403 was completed in both directions, commercial and industrial development took off in Brantford. Now, in light of the Toyota and spin-off investment in Woodstock, the Province is going to study a possible highway ‘424′ between Cambridge and Brantford. If constructed, Brantford will be connected to the 401 to the west and north and to the QEW in the east. Meanwhile, Windsor will continue to be nothing more than a speed bump in the scheme of things.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Clement. Not having lived in Windsor my entire life – the history of infrastructure escapes me – it just seems nonsensical that development continues along Huron Church to this day, but I don’t blame planners as so much politicians – sometimes leadership requires making decisions that are not necessarily popular.
“The bigger question I have, however, is WHY ON EARTH, city planners built up and continue to build up Huron Church Road with commercial/residential?”
“On this my theory is this – the city was so scarred by the economic downturn in 1980-81 that an “any development is good development” mentality took deep root in the city leadership and bureaucracy. Where else do subdivisions of several hundred homes continue to be serviced by two-lane roads with no curb and gutter? Why are developers allowed to skate on providing proper infrastructure? It is the same mentality, to bend over backwards for anyone willing to sink two-cents into real estate in Windsor, that allowed Huron Church to get built up the way it did over the last 25 years.”
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You are right on with your answer. The city made money anyway they could along the way, without thought of ABC, that was being handled by the overseerers and gatekeepers. Windsor was very very sad looking, and an atrotious state of affairs, back in 80-83. In 83 I bot a brick to the roof tri-plex for 13G and sold it 6 years later for 40 G. Exact same TRI sold in Toronto that year for 170G.
manufacturing consent. Hmmmm.
The spin I read Sandra is part of a long term plan devised years ago.
Many people are involved, be it willingly or unwittingly or undeniably. Turns out, the border file is a very complex situation.
“So, what is my point? Well, the purpose of manufacturing consent is to create numerous possibilities with the objective of implementing the preferred, usually most unpopular “possibility.” Ultimately, the goal is to make the unpopular the popular option. This is to say, obsfucate the issue and gradually implement the preferred option
“The bottom line is I believe we’re being duped – and I don’t even think some of the councillors are even aware that this whole debate is being manufactured for two purposes – fulfilling certain political aspirations and manufacturing consent for the preferred option.”"
Exactly… and the unpopular option is ????????
Although I didn’t think there was a name for it… I spotted this tecnique as a pattern long ago.
Kinda reminds me of the build no/build scenerio.
Very good post, great, love it… Soooooooooo do you want to talk about the Ambassador Bridge Companies possible involvement with such a theory? This is very interesting…