Although I can acknowledge…

Although I can acknowledge the need for further transportation infrastructure in an ever-increasing populated area such as the GTA, there are some worrisome implications that would result if this plan were placed in motion. In my opinion, the biggest issue is the precedent of allowing development to bypass legislation (re: the Environmental Act). Enabling certain projects, damaging as they may be to many aspects of the environment, to be put in motion for the sake of the promise of more convenience to citizens can very well turn into a slippery slope. What is the point of the Environmental Act and its promised protections if its integrity is as undependable as this? What other future expensive grand scheme projects will be pardoned using this particular highway plan as an excuse to be permissible? I also find it interesting how the provincial government is taking back authority/jurisdiction when it comes to decision making and centralizing the power (re: bike lanes). It adds a hint of irony considering our Conservative government seem to preach on less government involvement and decentralized power/privatization.