I am strongly opposed to…

I am strongly opposed to Bill 212. I oppose provincial involvement and legislation regarding bike lanes and I oppose the proposal of Hiway 413 and all the urban sprawl and traffic (CO2 emissions) that would come along with it in the Ontario Greenbelt Region.

Our communities have worked for decades to create safer, inclusive streets for all types of transportation and particularly transportation with less impact on the climate.
More people than ever are using bicycles and scooters as a healthy and affordable mode of transportation. I see moms and dads in bike lanes with toddlers in the bike seats, let’s keep them safe by slowing down traffic and being more innovative in transportation solutions rather than pretending that more lanes of cars will ever be a proper solution. The provincial government needs to leave bike lane planning up to community stakeholder groups.

The Greenbelt has never been so important in helping moderate local temperature, rates of evaporation and flooding. Yes, the Greenbelt plays a vital role to help reduce local impacts of climate change. The Greenbelt also provides local farmland, local food. The Greenbelt provides healthy recreational areas for the citizens of the GTA and Also impacts those farther away. We know that winters are increasingly shorter, affecting many types of seasonal industries we depend on as Canadians. Blue Mountain resort and many other outdoor companies barely had enough snow last year to make it through the season. More paved areas and black roof tops will contribute to the heat islands which already exist in urban settings and will only negatively impact winter business and employment opportunities for generations to come!!

The warmer wetter climate might please some but it brings with it a tremendous increase in disease carrying mosquitos and other concerns.

Scientists have already sounded the alarm on World biodiversity loss, and if what remains of our Greenbelt is lost, we will most definitely lose more unique and irreplaceable local species of all kinds of flaura and wildlife - many of which play roles in the ecosystems which affect our own human health in positive ways. Our Greenbelt is a part of Ontarios citizens natural heritage and should be passed down to future generations. The Greenbelt requires a provincial government that can recognize the unparalleled value that it has as its own natural entity, and our Ontario government should have the wisdom and courage to protect it, (like their leader said they would when campaigning).

Don’t the conservatives have any children or grandchildren with futures??? Do you think those children and grandchildren can just use the money you’d make from these construction projects and go to other places that won’t be affected by climate change?? Like California, BC, Hawaii, Jasper, Alberta???…maybe they will, but i hope they like forest fires more than I do. Maybe they could get way to Vancouver or Spain, although atmospheric rivers are an increasing concern too due to climate change. Scrap Bill 212 immediately!