My first issue with Bill 212…

My first issue with Bill 212 is the exemptions being planned for Highway 413, specifically that it will be exempt from the Environmental Assessment Act. The impact of building this highway and further encouraging driving will have grave effects on the environment. As stated in a report from Environmental Defence, Highway 413 would cause over 17 million tonnes of additional CO2 emissions by 2050 – the same date by which Canada is committed to reach net-zero emissions. The building of Highway 413 would pave over 400 acres of the Greenbelt, and over 2,000 acres of Class 1 and Class 2 farmland while harming over 29 species that are protected under the federal Species at Risk Act as reported in The Pointer. We need to respect the process of evaluation and study the benefits and consequences of these decisions. We cannot ignore our environmental impact and how damaging the actions we take now will be to current and future generations.

Trying to build this highway without following proper protocol is indicative that this government is willing to cut corners for actions that benefit themselves instead of the people.