Higher speed limits won’t help cars sitting in gridlock

October 2, 2024

QUEEN'S PARK — Ontario Greens Deputy Leader Aislinn Clancy released the following statement in response to the Ford government’s repeated failure to provide transportation solutions Ontarians need.

“The Ford government doesn’t have a serious plan to make it easier for Ontarians to get around.

The Eglinton LRT looks like it won’t open until at least 2025, the Finch West LRT is now delayed too, and gridlock on the 401 has become so bad that it’s almost unbearable. If the Premier thinks increasing the speed limit on some sections of some highways is going to fix the problem, he just doesn’t get it.

To solve our traffic problems, we need to give people more affordable choices for how they get around – that’s how we reduce the amount of cars on the road. Our communities need two-way, all-day GO train and intercity bus service. They need more bike-share programs and e-bike infrastructure, and dedicated bike and transit lanes that help them get where they need to go safely.

We also need to build communities that don’t require you to travel a great distance to get to work or school – by building more homes in existing neighbourhoods and especially around transit hubs.

These are the kinds of solutions we need from our government – and if the Conservatives aren’t prepared to implement them, they need to get out of the way and let someone else do it.”

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