The Bradford Bypass — or the Holland Marsh Highway as opponents of the project call it — has been a hot topic, as the province prepares to launch early work in the construction of the new highway this fall.
While many Bradford residents and those in surrounding communities support the 16.2-kilometre link between Highways 404 and 400, including Simcoe County, York Region, and the Holland Marsh Growers' Association, there is a growing group of concerned citizens urging the Ford government to cancel the project.
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner is one of those opposed to the building of the highway, claiming it will be destructive to the environment, threaten the health of Lake Simcoe, damage wetlands, and contribute to climate pollution.
He called the highway "a bad idea" in a media release.
"I recognize why people would be supportive of the highway because gridlock is a big issue and we've under-invested in good regional transit for so long, that our transit services just aren't up to the kind of quality we need," Schreiner said.
But the risks associated with the link outweigh the benefits of the project, he said.
"We really need to be investing in solutions around building communities where people can live and work and not have to commute, and for those that do need to commute, making sure they have accessible, affordable high-speed transit."
One of the challenges is that many work in Toronto, but can't afford to live there. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that many are able to work from home, or regionally, without having to commute every day — "Which enhances your quality of life, and means you get to spend more time with your family," he said.
Instead of investing in highways, Schreiner urged the government to put money toward more sustainable alternatives, which would increase people's well-being, quality of life and affordability.
The province has noted the proposed link crosses the Holland Marsh wetlands at their narrowest point — where the wetlands are only one kilometre across — impacting an area of 10.75 hectares or 0.375 per cent of the total Holland Marsh. Schreiner said the impact on wetlands and wildlife habitat will be significantly greater.
"It would also further threaten the health of the already at-risk Lake Simcoe, and create an additional 87 thousand tonnes of climate pollution per year," he claimed. "This is going to have short and long-term negative impacts on our communities."
Schreiner also questioned the impact on flood risk.
"As we continue to pave over wetlands, that reduces the ability of nature's natural systems to protect us from flooding," he said, noting that he has already seen the beginnings of class action lawsuits against municipalities and developers that are building homes in flood-risk areas.
"As we pave over significant wetlands like the Holland Marsh, you're going to see flood risks escalate," he warned.
Schreiner said that the environmental assessment conducted in 1997 is out of date.
"The impacts of climate crisis has increased, the risk of flooding has increased, the stress on Lake Simcoe has increased, the number of endangered species has increased...Given the fact the province isn't doing a full-scope environmental assessment, considering how much has changed in the last 20 years, is deeply concerning."
He added, "I would say this highway, especially given the deteriorating health of Lake Simcoe has significant impacts on a lake that so many people love and that is so important to our economy, our communities."
He also challenged the decision of federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson last week, that a federal assessment was not warranted.
Schreiner acknowledged the Holland Marsh as one of the most productive areas of farmland in North America, but called for assurance that any transportation solutions proposed for the area don't do damage that will cause regret in the future.
While he sympathized with the farming community's concerns over day-to-day congestion, he said there was a need to provide transportation solutions that will eliminate gridlock in ways that don't increase flood risk and damage the health of Lake Simcoe.
"Ontario needs smart development and transportation infrastructure that respects our natural heritage. We don’t need more highways that destroy wetlands, farmland and greenspace, pumping more toxic emissions into the air," he said.
Schreiner said the development of the project will depend on what the citizens have to say, referencing the GTA's 413 highway project, which initially had a lot of support from local councils, but has since seen a withdrawal of support due to residents' concerns and opposition.
"If the same thing happens with the Bradford Bypass, you could see a similar response," he said. "I think the Ford government fast-tracking these projects has prompted people to speak out on them."
When reminded that it was the Liberal government that put it back on the provincial plan, he said it didn't matter which government brought back the bypass.
"Whether it was the Wynne government or the Ford government, my concern is making sure we come up with transportation solutions that will work, that is affordable, and that minimize damage," he said.
