I am concerned about the…

I am concerned about the future of southern Ontario’s Greenbelt.

This magnificent web of forests, rivers and farms is more important than ever as we work to tackle the climate emergency, protect local food producers and preserve recreational opportunities.

I am concerned, in particular, about the threat posed by Highway 413.

A recent EKOS poll found 76 per cent of Ontarians believe the Greenbelt is no place for a new four-to-six lane highway.

This highway would slice through the Greenbelt, destroying nearly six kilometres of forest and 75 wetlands. It would pave 2,000 acres of farmland.

Congestion will not be solved by new highways that incentivize additional traffic. Rather, we need expansion of public transit — including GO trains, electric buses and light rail — and better use of Highway 407.

The $6 to $10 billion required to build 413 should be spent on pressing community needs, not an expressway that deepens the climate crisis and paves our Greenbelt.