I am deeply concerned about…

I am deeply concerned about the proposed legislation from the Ontario government that would deny municipalities the ability to install new bike lanes on major streets without provincial approval. If passed, the new rules would severely limit municipalities’ ability to protect all road users, fight climate change, and ease congestion. I strongly encourage the Province to work collaboratively with municipalities on solutions instead of undermining them.

All of our municipalities are struggling to address road safety, congestion and its negative impacts on local economies, public health, and the environment. Limiting their options - and forcing them to seek provincial approval for local decisions - will only make the situation worse and create more time-consuming government red tape, and worse, will lead to an increase in traffic fatalities. Bike lanes allow more people to travel in less road space, in addition to improving safety for all road users. Municipalities in Ontario need the power to implement the Transportation Master Plans they have developed for their context.

I call on the provincial government to respect local decision-making and walk back this poorly considered proposal, which could lock Ontario into years of unsafe roads, heavy traffic, and worsening air pollution.