I very strongly oppose Bill…

I very strongly oppose Bill 212 for several reasons:
• The portion giving the Province the right to overrule municipalities in their decisions around bike lanes is an unacceptable usurpation of municipal jurisdiction. The Province has no business making these decisions.
• Many credible studies have shown that expanding highway networks does not reduce traffic congestion. More roads simply attract more traffic. Their expansion achieves nothing.
• The cost of building Highway 413 will be prohibitive. More effective traffic-related things could be done with this money, including improved public transit and purchasing the underused Highway 407.
• Highway 413 will go through the Greenbelt, farmland, Indigenous treaty lands, and many irreplaceable natural features. It should not be built.
• The Bill exempts Highway 413 from the provincial environment assessment process. This exemption is completely unacceptable.
Please withdraw this legislation. It is irresponsible and should not proceed.