Dear Premier Ford, Minister…

Dear Premier Ford, Minister Sarkaria, and all involved in this Bill,

As a lifelong resident of Ontario, I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to this proposal and Bill 212 and urge you to ABANDON THIS PROPOSAL in its entirety for the following reasons:

1. INCREASED RED TAPE: A government with a Ministry of Red Tape Reduction should not be introducing a process by which local governments need approvals by provincial authority for local planning decisions that have already been researched and consulted on. This will result in inefficiency, waste of the Ontario government's time, and waste of taxpayer money.

2. WASTE OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO UNDO LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS: Regardless of the true cost of removing bike lanes, $27M has already been sunk into new bike lanes. If the estimates are right, and bike lanes begin to be removed, EVERY ONTARIAN (including my child) will have paid $5 for ZERO BENEFIT to the province. At best, we will be back where we started.

3. NEGATIVE IMPACT TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN TORONTO: As you well know, both municipal and provincial planning has encouraged the development of thousands of residential units in Toronto on the main corridors of Bloor, Avenue, and Yonge that COUNT ON its residents to be car-less, and explicitly encourages bike ownership. By reducing the quality of available cycling infrastructure and jeopardizing the efficient construction of new lanes, the province is LOWERING THE VALUE OF THIS HOUSING STOCK for everyone and potentially delaying or stopping new housing being built.

4. DISCRIMINATION AND INEQUALITY: Every person in Ontario has the same right to efficiency and safety, whether they drive a car or not. This proposal CLEARLY PRIORITIZES CAR-OWNING ONTARIANS over non-car driving Ontarians, thereby discriminating against equity-deserving groups (such as racialized people and households headed by women) who are less likely to own cars.

5. PROPOSAL DOES NOTHING FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE OF REDUCING GRIDLOCK AND SAVING TIME: If this government "Recognizes that accidents and lane closures can worsen traffic congestion and impact the quality of life of Ontarians", it EXPLICITLY WILL WORSEN CONGESTION by a) closing three main roads for construction for nine months AND b) raising the likelihood of collisions between motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians (since sidewalks will be impacted too).

6. PERSONAL IMPACT: My whole life living in London and Toronto, I have commuted and gotten around by bike. I have found this to be the most efficient option for distances under 10km during rush hour and its especially efficient when bike lanes are available. In 2024, I have a 2 year old and take her around the City on my bike. Speaking for myself, I feel much safer biking with my child in a bike lane than I do in the centre of a car lane, since it gives cars more distance to pass. Regardless of whether this proposal goes through, I will CONTINUE to use arterial roads to bike on - This proposal only affects whether I will exercise MY RIGHT TO OCCUPY THE FULL LANE.

IN SUMMARY, if this proposal and bill are passed in its current form, it will serve to WASTE MY MONEY AND LOWER MY QUALITY OF LIFE by making government less efficient, wasting municipal and provincial funds, worsening gridlock, and imperiling myself and my child.

Finally, while I have focused my letter on the impacts of the proposal for bike lane red tape and removals, I ALSO STRONGLY OPPOSE THE BILL FOR ITS DISREGARD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT with regards to expediting the construction of Highway 413. Environmental assessment is NOT OPTIONAL - we only have one chance to make the right decision, and our laws and rules exist to ensure we don't destroy habitats and worsen the climate crisis through our actions. I ask that you FOLLOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT for Highway 413.

Thank you for your time and attention to my letter. Please show respect for all of Ontario's "folks" and abandon this proposal and Bill 212.