I'm deeply upset that this…

I'm deeply upset that this government is considering requiring the removing of bicycle lanes and overruling the urban planning of municipal leaders. No one knows their city or town better than those leaders. Municipalities are in the best position to make local decisions.

Not only does the province not belong in this area of urban planning, but there is no logic to this proposal. It truly makes no sense at all.

I live in downtown Toronto. There are often significant traffic jams in my area. But never, ever, has it been due to a lack of lanes for cars. We have a limited amount of space in total. Creating an extra lane for cars on some streets doesn't address the multiple bottlenecks in the city. (And the same could be said for the Premier's recent proposal to tunnel under the 401. Creating twice as much room for cars on a highway doesn't mean that there will be twice as much room for cars on every intersecting artery.)

I'm also a driver and I feel the road is much safer when bicycles have their own separate lanes. I'd rather spend some extra time in my car than have an accident with a bicycle. Cyclists are extremely vulnerable. They also have an equal right to the road. Bicycle lanes make it easier for everyone to be safe.

I would like the government to focus on regional high-speed trains, improving local and regional public transit, and on providing meaningful funding for achieving more transit options. We need to get people out of cars and on to more efficient transportation, like public transit, regional trains, and most certainly, bicycles.

Premier Ford's slogan used to be "respect for taxpayers." Imposing the Province's will on municipalities is not respectful - it's undemocratic.

It feels like what the people really want doesn't matter to this government. Projects like this one can only be described as self-serving and are clearly not in the best interests of the people of Ontario.

This government was not elected with a mandate to micromanage municipalities and ignore the wishes of constituents.

This proposal demonstrates that this government has lost sight of their role and place.

The Premier is not a King who can impose his will on all his peasant constituents.

Stay in your own lane and leave municipalities alone.