It is wrong

One hundred and sixty faith leaders, including bishops Andrew Asbil, Riscylla Shaw and Kevin Robertson, sent this letter to Premier Doug Ford in January, urging him to stop proposed Highway 413 and the removal of bike lanes in Toronto. The letter has been edited for length.

Dear Premier Ford,

As more than 160 faith leaders representing diverse traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist and Unitarian, we write to express our deep concern about the Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act (Bill 212) and its harmful impacts on Ontario communities and on creation as a whole.

Our faiths share a moral imperative to provide caring stewardship of the Earth that we hold sacred. We are compelled to speak out when decisions threaten the integrity of our environment and the well-being of present and future generations.

This act threatens the environment, public safety, food production and First Nations. It will divert significant financial resources from healthcare, housing and education where they are desperately needed. As well, it will increase carbon emissions when the province must urgently reduce them. It is morally and ethically wrong.

We strenuously object to the Ontario government’s lack of consultation before passing the legislation, to the government’s dismissal of relevant research that contradicts the purported rationale of the legislation, and to the prevention of future legal action by those harmed by the bill.

By expediting construction of Highway 413 and removing bike lanes, this act prioritizes short-term economic interests over long-term sustainability. Experts agree that removing bike lanes will not reduce traffic congestion but will, instead, make roads less safe, putting the lives of cyclists and pedestrians at risk. The government’s actions contravene essential efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce personal vehicle use, and protect biodiversity, which are critical to addressing the climate crisis. Additionally, its circumvention of Indigenous rights undermines our collective duty to honour the stewardship of the land by its original caretakers.

We ask you to stop implementation. We ask you to re-consider both the process and advisability of Highway 413, and to allow the continued expansion of active transportation that offers clean, affordable opportunities to get around, and in so doing, advance justice, sustainability and care for creation.

We stand ready to engage in dialogue and hope that you will meet with some of us, to discuss a path forward that honours our shared responsibility to this province and its people.