I'm disappointed that this…

I'm disappointed that this Provincial government continues to ignore experts on traffic, safety, and environmental impact.
This bill is framed as a way to reduce traffic and pollution in urban areas, yet makes every effort to do the exact opposite.

The bill states that it aims to keep people and goods moving by creating more capacity on the roads for vehicles and drivers. However, countless studies (both in Canada and elsewhere) have shown that personal vehicles are the least efficient way to move people through a city.

Real increased capacity for the movement of people within an urban centre comes from safe and accessible transit, pedestrian crossings, and bike lanes (in combination with the appropriate number of vehicle lanes).
By removing or restricting the development of transit/pedestrian/cycling options in favour of additional vehicle lanes, people are only given the option to drive and create even more traffic, congestion, and pollution.
When alternative options are available, safe, and connected, people will use them.
When people use well designed alternatives, vehicle traffic is significantly reduced for those in cars, delivery vehicles, emergency services, etc.

Although bike lanes are a large focus for this bill, I think it also highlights another major concern: that municipalities will have their own authorities undermined.
Planning on a (relatively) small scale at street level should remain the authority of the municipalities, where local and community-based decision makers have taken the time to consider their specific communities needs. After all, this is why we have multiple levels of government.

Passing a bill that gives the provincial government authority over municipalities on municipal issues is counterproductive, and adds red tape to every decision.
Proposing this approval structure is counterproductive to the very title of the bill, "fighting delays".