I strongly feel that a…

I strongly feel that a comprehensive environmental assessment is undoubtedly required for a project on the scale of Highway 413. Such an assessment will be essential in ensuring a comprehensive public consultation process that Ontario citizens can have confidence in. Any thought of streamlining the environmental assessment is a non-starter in my view.
The importance of a comprehensive assessment was underlined after I attended a webinar in December, held by the project team to discuss Highway 413 as it would affect Halton Region. Many participants voiced serious concerns about the impact of Highway 413 on the agricultural and natural heritage lands of the Greenbelt, including the rivers and streams that would be crossed to the detriment of numerous watersheds and their fish and wildlife --- which include species at risk. I share these concerns.
I agree with the comments of many people --- including councillors in the affected municipalities as well as Ontario's leading conservation and environmental organizations --- who oppose Highway 413 on the grounds that it will definitely encourage costly urban sprawl in the GTA while saving commuters only a relatively insignificant amount of time.
As a motorist who uses Highway 407 for trips from Hamilton to Toronto and beyond, I questioned the need for Highway 413 from the start. I believe it would largely duplicate the excellent, safe and rapid linkage that already exists between Highways 407 and 400 for motorists travelling from Brampton to Vaughan. Although the government estimates Highway 413 will provide a potential time saving of 30 minutes for motorists who use Highway 401, even that saving is questionable. Would it justify the cost of an estimated $6 billion that could otherwise be invested to promote enhanced transit and more sustainable urban planning for example? Consider that municipalities like Brampton are planning more transit-oriented communities where dependence on cars is reduced. This trend will likely continue to strengthen as the cost of vehicle ownership increases.
The time "saving" for those using Highway 407 will be considerably less than 30 minutes. In fact, 407 will become increasingly popular as 401 --- often a nerve-wracking experience --- becomes ever more congested and certainly much less safer than 407. I urge the transportation ministry to encourage more use of Highway 407 and to consider building a transitway along 407 rather than proceeding with Highway 413. The wide footprint of Highway 407 would, I believe, be suitable for a transitway as well as additional lanes if needed.
The costs of Highway 413 considerably outweigh the benefits. It's imperative that the government conduct a full comprehensive environmental assessment before proceeding any further.
Thank you for your consideration.