I oppose Bill 212 in its…

I oppose Bill 212 in its entirety, for the following reasons. I am opposed to any fast-tracking of the proposed highway 413 or hwy 427, hwy 410 extensions through exemptions from a full Environmental Assessment process. I am speaking today through the lens of a young farmer who farms in the proposed path of the highway, and as a Rural Planning and Development graduate student. Environmental Assessments are an important part of the planning process that allows officials to make a proper cost-benefit analysis, plan the route and construction by mitigating impacts, and ultimately allow for an informed decision on whether the project is acceptable or whether alternatives are better. Without this, the project may be more costly and far more impactful upon Ontarians in the long run. There is no acceptable reason in this day and age why any project, especially a government led one, should be exempt from proper process. If the project has merit, it should pass through the proper channels without problem. If it does not have merit, it will not. It should be judged as all other projects should be judged. Environmental assessments are in place to safeguard the public from poor planning and decision making. To exempt any project from the law amounts to injustice against our communities.

The justification behind Hwy 413 is also suspect to begin with, and has not been backed by sufficient evidence for choosing a new highway over cheaper and less environmentally impactful alternatives, such as regional rail investment and other transit investments.

Further, I am also opposed to any measures that expedite the expropriation act. People should have as much time as is fit to seek appropriate legal counsel, and have the right to protest expropriation within their own home.