"The Government of Ontario …

"The Government of Ontario ... recognizes that accidents and lane closures can worsen traffic congestion and impact the quality of life of Ontarians"

The Government is incorrect, that lane closures are the most important factor in determining traffic congestion.

Here's a somewhat simple example. Blood flows through arteries and veins in the body. If this flow is congested, the body doesn't create new arteries and veins, but relies on a healthy system so that essential blood cells can reach their destination, without superfluous traffic that isn't essential to the healthy operation of the person.

Similarly, on the roads, single-occupant vehicle traffic, traffic that cuts through smaller residential roads, and the lack of viable alternatives for those who are either unable to drive, or simply choose not to, are all signs of an "unhealthy" array of problems that many cities face when it comes to methods of transportation that are the main causes of unnecessary traffic or congestion on the roads.

In a single space a car occupies, you can fit 10 or more pedestrians, or about 6 or more cyclists. It's obvious that to reduce the congestion to make the roads less clogged with cars, there should simply be fewer cars on the road.

Cars are not the enemy, but like all things, moderation is key. If roads are congested, why does the government never consider that there may be too many cars? Road repairs, highway maintenance, vehicle fatalities, etc. . . . Does the government like paying millions per kilometre to maintain roads, to move less people at a slower rate?

See Madrid, Paris, Tokyo, or even Montreal, and many other populated first-world cities that treat cyclists with far more knowledge and understanding, that care about multi-modal methods of transportation, and the beauty of their public spaces, for inspiration.