Heritage Minister Sheila Copps says she will not lobby Cabinet
colleagues to appeal the Federal Court decision giving a green
light to the Red Hill Creek Expressway.
She also denies she ever worked behind the scenes to
get the government to order the environmental assessment cancelled by
the court.
At the same time, she refuses to declare whether she's
in favour of or opposed to a road through the
east Hamilton valley.
She said it's no secret she wrote to Fisheries Minister
David Anderson encouraging him to seek an assessment, but noted
that expressway supporters Stan Keyes, Hamilton West, and Tony Valeri,
Stoney Creek, joined an unanimous Hamilton Liberal caucus call for
an assessment.
"What I did as an MP was exactly what was
done by Tony and Stan.
"Any reports of backroom machinations are not factual. Like I
have fantastic power to move mountains."
When asked directly whether she feels the expressway should be
built, Copps replied: "What the city decides is in the
city's hands. It's entirely the city's doing and I respect
the fact it's their decision."
Source.
