Environmental groups raise red flags over Bradford Bypass impact report
Critics of the proposed Bradford Bypass are slamming the province's environmental impact study and the limited 30-day period for public input, calling the entire process a rushed job.
"They're not really thinking about the public's concern. They're thinking about how to get this pushed through quicker," said Margaret Prophet, Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition executive director.
Environmental organizations, including the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition and Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, argue that the 576-page report falls short of its intended purpose.
"We have a lot of questions," noted Claire Malcolmson, the executive director of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition. "This highway is not going to magically fix the problems with Bradford."
The groups say the report lacks accountability. They emphasized the need for the government to prioritize clean water, air and public health.
"We're talking about exposure to groundwater, wells being contaminated, there's nothing about Lake Simcoe, there's nothing about climate change, we have concerns about air pollution. All these things are kind of outlined as things they could see because of the bypass but very little about what they're going to do because of it," Prophet noted.
The controversial bypass, estimated to cost between $2 and $4 billion, would establish an eight-lane connection between Highways 400 and 404, linking York Region and Simcoe County.
Prophet said she wants full disclosure if the government believes in the merits of the bypass.
"If this is such a great highway project that you can defend publicly, good, release all the information publicly," she stated.
In a statement to CTV News, the Ministry of Transportation said the planning for the bypass has included and continues to include consultation with the public and Indigenous communities "to ensure the project moves forward in an environmentally responsible way that is responsive to the needs and concerns of communities."
The ministry's statement on Monday noted it published the report on June 1 for the public's consideration, which is available until June 30, and that it had provided Indigenous communities and stakeholders "various opportunities for meaningful consultation since the project was re-initiated in September 2020."
Despite the government's eagerness to begin construction, the environmental coalitions say the bypass wouldn't be ready for another decade, suggesting funds instead be allocated toward improving public transportation.
"We need to be building in a way that doesn't support sprawling development. We need to be building, maybe more public transit. Prioritize getting that all-day, two-way GO line working all the way up to Barrie. Get that done," said Malcolmson.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The environmental groups are urging the public to demand accountability and transparency from the government regarding the project's cost and its impact on the environment and the local population.
"We also need to leave this planet in a state that our kids are going to be happy with," Malcolmson concluded.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978503.1721990327!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that sabotage and arson that hit key parts of France's high speed rail network on the eve of the Olympics had 'a clear objective: blocking the high speed train network.'
Canadian Olympic Committee CEO says soccer coach Bev Priestman likely aware of spying
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer David Shoemaker says the head coach of the national women's soccer team was likely aware drones were used to spy on an opposing country's practices in France.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
DEVELOPING Recent rain, cooler weather limiting spread of wildfires in Jasper National Park
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
Search for missing vulnerable 3-year-old child in Mississauga, Ont. continues
Police say the search for a vulnerable child who went missing in Mississauga, Ont. Thursday evening continues. Three-year-old Zaid, who is described as possibly non-verbal, was last seen at 6:20 p.m. in Mississauga’s Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road. He was not wearing shoes or socks at the time.
opinion 'Deadpool and Wolverine' review: A love letter to a bygone era
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is a showcase for the bromance stylings of its stars, who pull out all the stops to cap Fox's Marvel movies.
Stay inside, filter indoor air amid wildfire smoke, respirologist says
A Calgary respirologist is advising people to regularly check the outdoor air quality and stay inside as smoke from the Jasper wildfires blows into other parts of Alberta and possibly beyond.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.