Let me begin by expressing…

Let me begin by expressing my utmost anger and disgust at the provincial government for patronising municipalities in general, and targeting the City of Toronto in particular, in a bid to appear as though it is addressing the ever-increasing population and traffic issues in our city.

In a functioning democracy, MPPs representing Orillia, Kitchener, or Wawa should not have the authority to strip away the rights of Torontonians by removing the only safe infrastructure for getting around the city. Such decisions must be made by the people who live in and contribute to our community. I do not pay municipal taxes in Orillia, Kitchener, or Wawa, so my local MPP should not have the right to interfere in a local matter in those municipalities. To do otherwise would be an abuse of power—just as it is when external representatives erode the rights of Toronto.

Without resorting to measures such as charging drivers a congestion fee during peak times in downtown Toronto, has your government proposed any credible alternatives to reduce the dependency on single-occupancy vehicles? Not only are the number of vehicles increasing, but their size has grown significantly as well.

Congestion is a reality in all major cities. However, world-class cities like Berlin, Paris, and Montréal have successfully integrated cycling infrastructure into their urban landscapes. Toronto deserves no less.

It has taken the City of Toronto two decades of studies and consultations to establish the foundation of a cycling network that enables safe travel across downtown. The success of this network is evident: Bikeshare usage has increased tenfold over the years, now exceeding six million trips annually.

As a retiree living in a downtown condominium, my primary mode of transport is the bicycle. The TTC is invaluable for longer journeys, but for anything within a 15-kilometre radius, cycling is unmatched in speed, cost-effectiveness, and convenience. Removing what is essentially the backbone of the city’s cycling network—key lanes on Yonge, University, and Bloor—would be a severe blow to safe mobility for countless residents.

The speed at which this Bill was introduced, coupled with the Premier’s apparent hostility towards cyclists and non-car traffic, makes it clear that your government is sacrificing the safety and well-being of Toronto residents to claim it is “doing something” about traffic congestion. Yet, all evidence points to the opposite conclusion: building an inclusive network that allows all road users to travel safely is the true solution. This Bill prioritises vehicle flow at the expense of safety and inclusivity.

Over the years, there have been numerous deaths and countless injuries involving collisions with motor vehicles. How many more lives must be lost or irreparably altered because cyclists are forced to share dangerous roads with cars? Downtown Toronto is home to universities, colleges, and high schools, where many young people rely on bicycles for transportation. Protecting human life should take precedence over shaving minutes off commuter travel times.

I would respect a government that adopts an inclusive, thoughtful approach to addressing urban challenges, rather than taking the easy, divisive route. Prioritising short-term optics over long-term solutions undermines the very communities you claim to serve.