Environmental Defence would…

Environmental Defence would like to submit the following comments on: EBR Registry Number: 013-1515

Transportation is currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario, meaning the GGH Transportation Plan is critical to meeting Ontario’s climate targets and implementing the Climate Change Action Plan.

Planning for 2051 means taking into account the rapid pace of change in how we build, power, and access transportation systems. Ontario is planning for electrification across all economic sectors in its Long-Term Energy Plan, including transportation, in order to reduce the significant greenhouse gas emissions produced by burning fossil fuels. Ontario is also taking bold steps in its recent Long-Term Infrastructure Plan to reduce the environmental impact of new infrastructure by taking into account the total cost over its lifespan through lifecycle assessments.

We would advise that any long-term transportation plan fully integrate with existing provincial plans, and ensure any new transportation systems are built for a low carbon future.

We would also like to fully endorse and lend our support to The Atmospheric Fund (TAF)'s submission on the GGH Transportation Plan priorities.

Please accept our responses to the following question:

Question 2: Would you change any of the existing goals or add any new goals? If so, what would you change or add?

ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE : A transportation system that protects the environment.

CURRENT OBJECTIVES

• The transportation system supports reduced energy use and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

• The preservation of valuable resources, natural areas and wildlife is prioritized in planning and use of the transportation system

• Impacts on prime agricultural lands are minimized in planning and use of the transportation system

• Indigenous knowledge is considered in decision making throughout the life cycle of projects

ADD:

•Existing climate action and long-term greenhouse gas reduction plans such as the CCAP, LTEP, and LTIP are fully reviewed and integrated into the GGHTP

ECONOMICALLY RESPONSIBLE: A transportation system that is cost effective and affordable.

CURRENT OBJECTIVES

• Transportation investments make efficient use of financial resources

• The transportation system is affordable to operate and maintain

• A full range of costs and benefits are considered when making transportation investments (e.g., health impacts, economic competitiveness, social equity, environmental impacts, etc.)

ADD:

•Business case analyses and cost/benefit analyses are conducted in a consistent manner and made available to the public along with the input data and rationale used to arrive at a decision

Thank you,

Sarah Buchanan
Clean Economy Program Manager
Environmental Defence
Email: sbuchanan@environmentaldefence.ca

[Original Comment ID: 211613]