Comment from member of the public submitted via email (Ross Snetsinger)

To Impact Assessment Agency of Canada,

Who Could be Ontario's Next Premier?

Two proposed new 400-series highways in Ontario, the 413 “GTA West” and the Bradford Bypass represent significant risks of irreversible environmental damage within federal jurisdiction, including harm to fish habitat, federal species at risk, and dozens of significant wetlands, forests and important ecosystems.

It's crystal clear that it's time for Ford and company to hand over the reins as soon as possible. Ontario needs leadership that is futures oriented and serves all Ontarians, especially environmentally. Ontario needs a Premier who is sensitive to the environment and the needs of future generations. That should mean real transportation solutions, not just highways everywhere and "subways subways subways". Of course he doesn't take transit, I presume he's driven around and just wants transit out of his way.

We need leaders who know how a proper democracy that respects all the people actually works, without having to resort to ham-fisted trumpian ministerial zoning orders.

We do not want more mega highways, but we do support his talk of electrifying and expanding GO Transit. The Premier either doesn't understand or doesn't care about the serious ramifications of such contradictory transportation strategies. Electrification of GO will not undo the harm of such a mega highway development. In fact, I won't be manipulated by his lies, I don't believe electrification will actually happen once the highway is under development.

Ontario is not a dictatorship, or it shouldn't be. Can someone please explain to his developer friends (donors), that rail (LRT/Interurban) development is much more sustainable than highway sprawl, because it leads to much more compact urban development. Citizens live and work closer to a rail station so they can walk, bike, or take local transit to the station, rather than driving the whole distance to their destination. This translates to less sprawl and the destruction of less farm land and natural areas. In turn this will make food production, climate change reduction, and air quality protection, all more achievable.

Those of us old enough to remember the second world war remember the threat of totalitarianism. Surely we don't want that! I'm ninety one years old, but I write to you for a better future for our grand children and the next seven generations.

The federal government can and should designate these highway projects for a federal environmental assessment. If the Ontario government won’t protect our environment, the federal government needs to step in now.

Sincerely, Ross G. Snetsinger, with help from his 60 year old son James.

Yours truly,

Ross Snetsinger <Personal information removed>