As a resident of Toronto I…

As a resident of Toronto I heavily disagree with proposed amendment that would restrict city from removing car roads when designing city infrastructure. City is a living and breathing urban structure that needs to adapt to ever-changing life around. Currently Toronto is suffering from an overwhelming car congestion.

Improving bicycle and transit infrastructure is essential in reducing car traffic that would improve state of congestions. When the city's toolkit is limited by the province with this amendment, it will not stop the city's population growth, it will not stop economic development, it will not stop urbanization of less urbanized communities. In the 2023 article from the Narwhal you may read about the concept of induced demand that had been researched for many years now stating that more roads do not lead to less car traffic but, in fact, lead to the opposite where car traffic increase to fit the available space. And that the crux of the issue. If Toronto's authorities decided that we need less space for cars, they should have such ability.

Bike Share in Toronto is beating records in usage almost every single year since Covid. According to Global News article, in 2024 alone, It means that there is, in fact, demand for bicycle infrastructure. I firmly believe, that if residents of Toronto are provided with fast, convenient and reliable transporation alternatives then car usage will, in fact, subside over years. Instead of the Province pushing to preserve car lanes in Toronto, it should instead support Toronto in its transformation.

Do not limit Toronto's ability to decide what's best for Toronto. The province must help Toronto's champions to make city better for Toronto's residents.