Environmental advocates protest Bradford Bypass
A demonstration was held outside the York-Simcoe MPP and Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney's constituency office, protesting the planned Bradford Bypass.
Attendees were seen waving signs demanding an end to the construction of the Bradford Bypass, which is expected to be a 16-kilometre route connecting the 400-404 highways with access through Bradford West Gwillimbury.
The gathering was part of a province-wide day of action against highways, with similar rallies held in Brampton and Caledon.
"Highways don't add to the financial coffers. They make people sick; they poison children's lungs; they cost a lot more than what they give in operation and maintenance," says Margaret Prophet, the executive director of the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition. "What we want are communities that are equitable, that are healthy for our children, that keep Lake Simcoe clean, that keep it so we can have generations of people using it, fishing in it, living in it and we feel that these kind of initiatives put all of that future in jeopardy."
The Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition planned Saturday's demonstration. The group is concerned about the impacts the construction of a new major thoroughfare will have on the environment, arguing that highways are not solutions in the 21st century.
"We are basing all of this highway on 1997 environmental assessments before endangered species act, before the Lake Simcoe protection plan," says Prophet. "We're saying the building of the Bradford Bypass no longer fits with the context of policies and laws we have put in place to make sure that our waters and are communities are healthy in the future."
One protester told CTV News they believe that the Bradford Bypass is an environmental disaster waiting to happen.
"Well it's not a case of making me happy, it's a case of dealing with reality," says Paul Javine, who was taking part in Saturday's protest. "To connect highway 400 and highway 404, is it really necessary? There already is a connection, highway 407!"
Many gathered Saturday say they would prefer to see the province work on expanding regional roads instead of building new highways.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.