Hello, I am submitting this…

Hello,

I am submitting this comment to express my strong opposition to Bill 212, including the provisions within the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 and the Highway 413 Act, 2024. While I understand the government’s intent to address transportation issues, the proposed legislation poses significant risks to Ontario’s environment, communities, and governance, and I am strongly opposed to it.

1. Environmental Implications

The proposed exemption of Highway 413 and related projects from standard environmental assessments is deeply concerning. These assessments are not bureaucratic obstacles—they are essential safeguards designed to protect Ontario’s natural resources, biodiversity, and communities from irreversible harm.

By enabling construction to proceed without comprehensive reviews, this legislation:

- Threatens over 400 acres of environmentally sensitive Greenbelt land, as noted by Environmental Defence. This destruction undermines Ontario's commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Risks exacerbating climate change by prioritizing car-dependent infrastructure over sustainable alternatives like public transit and cycling infrastructure.
- Ignores the critical role of the Greenbelt in flood prevention, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity protection.

2. Promoting Unsustainable Transportation Policies

The bill’s restrictions on bike lane installation and its provisions for removing existing bike lanes represent a step backward in Ontario’s urban planning. This approach disregards mounting evidence of the benefits of cycling infrastructure:

- Traffic Management: Removing bike lanes does not alleviate congestion. On the contrary, it forces cyclists into vehicle lanes, worsening traffic flow and increasing the likelihood of accidents.
- Public Health and Safety: Bike lanes improve safety not just for cyclists but for all road users. They also encourage healthier lifestyles and reduce the burden on Ontario’s healthcare system.
- Economic Growth: Studies have shown that businesses along bike-friendly streets experience increased foot traffic and economic activity.
- Environmental Goals: Cycling infrastructure is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly as Ontario experiences the impacts of climate change.

Investing in sustainable transportation, including bike lanes and public transit, is a far more effective and equitable use of resources than highway expansion projects.

3. Erosion of Property Rights and Worker Protections

The proposed changes to expropriation laws under the Highway 413 Act, 2024 are deeply troubling. Removing property owners' ability to seek a delayed possession date undermines their rights and sets a dangerous precedent for government overreach. It also risks eroding public trust in the government’s ability to act transparently and fairly.

Additionally, the legislation’s impact on infrastructure workers, particularly engineers and land surveyors, cannot be ignored. Reports indicate that these professionals have been without a contract for 20 months and are underpaid compared to their counterparts in other jurisdictions. This legislation not only fails to address these workforce issues but potentially exacerbates them by removing key regulations and undermining the bargaining power of skilled professionals. Failing to invest in fair wages and worker retention will create delays and safety risks in critical infrastructure projects.

4. Lack of Transparency and Public Consultation

The manner in which this legislation has been developed raises serious questions about transparency and accountability. The Premier’s statements suggesting that decisions on specific bike lanes, such as those on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue, have already been made contradict the notion of a rigorous, evidence-based process. This undermines public confidence in the legislative process and excludes meaningful input from municipalities and residents.

5. Financial Mismanagement

Highway 413’s projected cost of over $8 billion is a staggering expense for a project unlikely to deliver the promised benefits. Decades of research have shown that expanding highways does not reduce congestion—it induces demand, leading to more cars, more traffic, and greater emissions. These funds could be better allocated toward modernizing public transit, repairing existing infrastructure, and expanding active transportation networks, all of which offer higher returns on investment and better serve Ontario’s long-term needs.

6. Call to Action - Goal

I urge the government to:

1. Abandon Bill 212 and its associated provisions for Highway 413.
2. Commit to a transparent, inclusive process for evaluating transportation infrastructure projects.
3. Invest in sustainable, forward-looking solutions that prioritize public transit, cycling infrastructure, and environmental conservation.
4. Address the legitimate concerns of skilled workers by ensuring fair contracts, competitive wages, and appropriate workforce retention strategies.

Ontario’s transportation policies must reflect the values of safety, sustainability, and equity, not short-term gains at the expense of our shared future. Bill 212 fails to meet these standards and risks causing significant harm to our province.

Thank you for considering this submission. I strongly encourage the government to prioritize policies that benefit all Ontarians, protect our environment, and build a sustainable future.

Sincerely,
A resident of Etobicoke Centre, who has previously raised these issues to MPP Surma