As a resident in the…

As a resident in the province of Ontario, I would like to take a moment to voice my displeasure with this proposed legislation. There are several issues I would like to highlight.

First, I am opposed to this legislation since it impedes on cities' and municipalities' autonomy and expertise. Mayors and city councillors generally live and work in the city or neighbourhood they represent. As such, they are aware and have a good understanding of the local traffic issues and potential solutions in their neighbourhood. Requiring that all plans for new bikes lanes be approved by the province devalues the work of city councillors, ignores local and on-the-ground context, and undermines municipal democracy.

Second, I am concerned that adding provincial oversight to municipal road projects will add excessive red tape and simply slow construction on much needed infrastructure. It is genuinely hypocritical that the current Conservative government is so keen on removing so-called red tape to build Highway 413 but has no issues adding it to the construction of bike lanes.

Third, I am incensed that the government is proposing to rip up existing bike lanes in Toronto and Ottawa. This is fiscally irresponsible and a waste of taxpayers' dollars. I believe that building Highway 413 is fiscally irresponsible as well. The proposed route cuts through farmland, wetlands, and forests, the loss of which would result in increased food insecurity, more flooding in surrounding municipalities, and less clean air and water.

In conclusion, I request that the government take these and other comments into consideration when debating Bill 212. I urge the government to scrap this proposed legislation since it takes away decision-making power from democratically elected municipal officials, adds unnecessary red tape, and wastes taxpayers' hard-earned dollars.