The PC government in Ontario…

The PC government in Ontario has done a fantastic job at removing red tape and bureaucracy - and getting great things done as a result. However, this is not that.

For highway 413, this bill removes essential safeguards that, if streamlined, should be streamlined for all projects, rather than opted out for some.

For bike lanes, this removes decision making power and authority from those who have the ability to take action, adding red tape, bureaucracy, and preventing Ontario from being a place to grow.

On bike lanes in particular, I support them because:
* Bike infrastructure promotes fiscal responsibility on the local, provincial, and individual levels. For a given number of tax dollars spent on roads, many more people can ride on a bike lane than a car lane. This benefits me as a driver even if I don't use the bike lanes, because my taxes can be lower for the same services.
* Bike infrastructure promotes individual responsibility, because bikes can quite easily be maintained by everyday people, and they are affordable to everyone - not only the rich.
* Bike infrastructure gives individuals control and choices over their own health and exercise, allowing them to fit fitness into busy daily routines, promoting a healthy province, and reducing healthcare costs.
* As a driver who hates driving in Toronto, sharing the road with bikes is super stressful! I want them to have their own lane, so that my commute can be more relaxing.

However, all of that is besides the point - I'm against this bill because it's provincial overstepping on what should quite clearly be a municipal responsibility, adding red tape and bureaucracy, and making our province poorer with higher taxes.

Please reconsider the consequences of passing such a sweeping bill.