Ex-MPP ‘snubbed’ at 407 opening
Former minister says it was a ‘classless act’ not acknowledging efforts of many who helped
Former Peterborough-Kawartha Liberal MPP Jeff Leal says he learned of Monday’s Hwy. 407 opening only after a Durham regional councillor asked him why he wasn’t on the official invitation list.
“I’m a pretty mild-mannered guy. I don’t get mad too often,” Leal said, after reaching out to mykawartha.com.
“I’m just disappointed. I thought it was a rather classless act.”
The province announced Friday that the final stretch of the toll highway — bringing it as far east as Hwy. 35/115 — would open Monday.
Previously, it was thought the final section wouldn’t be ready until 2020.
On Friday, several dignitaries gathered for a ribbon cutting to mark the occasion.
There are a number of people who should have been invited or acknowledged but weren’t, Leal said.
Steven Del Duca, the former transportation minister in the Kathleen Wynne government who is running to succeed Wynne as Liberal leader, was the point person through much of the 407 expansion, working to get it back on schedule, Leal said.
“Darryl Bennett deserves credit, too. After Phase 1 was completed (from Brock Road to Harmony Road), it was Darryl that talked to Minister Del Duca, myself and (Peterborough County Warden) J. Murray Jones and it was decided that we should go at it from both ends.”
Leal said it allowed the project to hasten the construction schedule.
“It’s not just me who’s upset. I’ve been getting a lot of calls.”
Another person who deserved acknowledgement for their efforts was former Peterborough realtor John Bowes, Leal said.
Forty years ago, he was the first to propose a toll road linking the QEW, southwest of Toronto, with Hwy. 35.
“This current government has had nothing to do with putting this in place.”
Leal said he lobbied for the newest part of the extension to remain under ownership of the province.
“I wasn’t looking for a speaking role … just to be in attendance. I’m seeing a total lack of civility in public life and it dismays people like myself who believe it should rise above hyperpartisanship,” he said.
“This is just disappointing.”