It's bad enough that the Bradford Bypass is relying on studies from the 90s without any consideration of impacts on Lake Simcoe and our climate, but now there is a push to get early work construction (bridges, road widenings, utility relocation) done before any updates to studies are complete!  

In 2002, the province approved those 1997 studies with the condition that more studies be done to assess damage and create mitigation techniques before any construction could take place.  However, the provincial government is trying to legislate its way out of meeting those conditions!  There is little room to reduce damage from the highway if you have already constructed major parts of it over water courses and wetlands.

We need to put pressure on MPP Mulroney and others that no construction should be allowed to begin before full studies are completed.

The Pointer, a paper in the GTA, did an excellent summary of what is at stake here.  Please read and share widely.

We need you to send an email to the following contacts with this message or your own message today.  Early construction could begin any day!

Sample email (email addressees below):

Dear MPP Mulroney, Minister Piccini, Minister Clark and MTO Project Team,

The Bradford Bypass runs through one of the most sensitive parts of the Greenbelt and will bisect Lake Simcoe's most important wetland.  This route will destroy the habitat of at least 8 species of concern.  That means we need to be very considerate of the impacts of this highway on the Holland Marsh and its eco-system.  For that reason, I want the exemption for the Bradford Bypass (https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1883 to be rejected and all update studies to be completed BEFORE any construction begins.

Further, I want MTO to complete a new full provincial individual EA, a complete update to the 1997 EA, including an examination of alternatives to a highway, and examination of need.

I care about this issue greatly and how you proceed with it will impact my vote in the next provincial election. Do right by our wetlands, Lake Simcoe and our public health.

Regards,

Minister of Transportation & York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney: minister.mto@ontario.ca, or call 416-327-9200, or at their constituency office: caroline.mulroney@pc.ola.org, or call 905-895-1555

Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks & Northumberland - Peterborough South MPP David Piccini: minister.mecp@ontario.ca, or call 416-314-6790, or at their constituency office: david.piccini@pc.ola.org, or call 905-372-4000

Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing & Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark: minister.mah@ontario.ca, or call 416-585-7000, or at their constituency office: steve.clark@pc.ola.org, or call 613-342-9522

MTO Project Team: projectteam@bradfordbypass.ca, or call 1-877-247-6036