RE: Opposition to Bill 212…

RE: Opposition to Bill 212 Specific to the Building of Highway 413
I am writing on behalf of Town of Caledon Council to share our opposition to significant elements of the proposed Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act. Specifically, we object to the Building Highways Faster Act, 2024 (Schedule 2), which infringes on the rights of residents whose properties are impacted by the construction of Highway 413.
More than 45 per cent of Highway 413’s length spans Caledon. Residents with properties in the 413’s Focused Analysis Area have ostensibly had their land uses frozen since the project’s initiation in 2007. Family farms could not expand knowing they would never recover their capital investments before expropriation. Several homeowners could not sell due to market rate suppression due to speculation of future expropriations.
Now, Bill 212’s expedited timelines to take possession of resident’s lands needed for this priority highway will leave those residents vulnerable and potentially unhoused. Resident rights during the construction of Highway 413 must be upheld. To that end, Caledon seeks the following changes to the Building Highways Faster Act, 2024 (Schedule 2):
• Revise the expropriation provisions to ensure clear and fair compensation that may help minimize disruption for affected residents, small businesses, vulnerable groups, and low-income communities.
• Remove the punitive, first offence fines of $50,000 plus $10,000 for each additional day that will be imposed on individuals who struggle to find appropriate alternate housing within the expedited timelines permitted by the Bill.
• Remove Section 13.6 which authorizes entry into the private dwelling of a Caledon resident and the use of force to take possession of their land.
In addition, Caledon also seeks these additional revisions to Bill 212:
• Restore comprehensive environmental assessments that evaluate the impacts on water sources, ecosystems, wildlife, noise, air quality, and local habitations.
• Strengthen provisions in the Bill that protect water sources, forests, and other natural resources from the adverse effects of highway construction, ensuring that such policies are integrated into highway planning.
• Create independent oversight bodies to monitor the execution of highway projects to ensure the projects are aligned with the public interest and promote Provincial accountability and transparency.
• Provide legal and planning frameworks for land-use planning surrounding the highways to prevent further legal implications and zoning issues that may arise from unregulated developments around new highways.
• Revise the Bill to include clear and accessible processes for public participation to ensure that any changes to land use, zoning, or environmental regulations are subject to appropriate legal scrutiny.
We are registering this opposition with the Environmental Registry of Ontario before the November 20 deadline.
Sincerely,

please see attachment for full details