I have previously submitted…

I have previously submitted a comment about how:

- the removal of bike lanes is making municipalities dangerous for the public,

- businesses from around Ontario (and specifically in Toronto) are against the removal of bike lanes, which allow for a lot more customers to frequent them

- focusing on cars in dense municipalities is detrimental to the quality of life of everyone involved through congestion, pollution, noise, physical health, and mental health

Today however, I would like to address the specific parts of Bill 212 that have to do with the expediting of highway 413 and future highways.

For one, it is frankly appalling that the current PC government is looking to make highway construction projects exempt from environmental assessments. In a day and age where we are seeing the very real effects of climate change like warm winters and increased rainfall, I cannot fathom why projects that increase our carbon footprint and destroy natural habitats are being considered to be allowed without any restriction.

I also oppose the portion that allows the government to extradite land from individuals for the creation of highways. While I know that acquiring land for public services can be difficult, I would be much less against this portion of the proposed Bill 212 if it made reference to public transit projects instead of highways. We do not need any more highways in an area as dense as the GTA - the province should focus on delivering transit projects that it has already promised years ago and look forward to new ones like high speed commuter rail to alleviate currently congested highways.