It is imperative that the…

It is imperative that the Environmental Registry of Ontario understand that I, and many in my and surrounding communities, are disgusted with the Ontario government's abandonment of the democratic process in determining the need for, and environmental impact of, the Bradford Bypass and the proposed Hwy 413. The Environment Minister claiming that an amendment to transportation assessments (ERO #019-4219) be moved to a streamlined Environmental Assessment (EA) process as these changes are important for “affordable housing”, and will still “ensure environmental oversight and robust consultation”, is political spin at its best. If moved to a streamlined version of the assessment, almost no oversight or consultation will be involved! Class EA projects are almost universally approved as they are considered routine, with minimal environmental impact. To demonstrate this point, please consider that ERO #019-4219 states that the only valid reason for asking the Minister to escalate further action, under a Class EA, is on the grounds of aboriginal treaty rights. So in effect, if this amendment is to pass, the public in general will have no democratic access to determining how land is developed, and whether a valuable habitat in question warrants enough care to refuse the project altogether.
While the Minister continues to assert that these highways will somehow increase affordable housing, there are no such guarantees within this process. We, as stewards of the land, are also committed to ensuring a future for our province and its inhabitants, which will be compromised if we allow sensitive habitats to be degraded and unique ecosystems be destroyed.