Highway 413 opponents to protest Oct. 14

TORONTO — Opponents of Highway 413 have targeted Oct. 14 for protests with a Harvest Ontario Walk to Stop the 413 scheduled for multiple sites.

The event is being led by Grandmothers Act to Save the Planet (GASP) in conjunction with Concerned Citizens of King Township, EcoCaledon, Halton Hills Climate Action, Seniors for Climate Action Now, the Unitarian Congregation in Mississauga and the Wilderness Committee. Walks and bike rides will take place through different sections of farmland, forests and the Greenbelt with a focus on two walks through downtown Bolton.

The Ontario government committed to building the highway running east-west north of Toronto during the 2022 provincial election campaign and has reiterated its plans since then.

“The fact that Premier Doug Ford has promised us, once again, that he will not touch the Greenbelt says to me that the 413 should also now be off the table, since sections of it will plow through the Greenbelt,” said Betty de Groot of EcoCaledon in a statement. “We’re here to remind him to keep his promise and look into other solutions for traffic congestion like stopping urban sprawl, increasing transit options and opening up lanes on the 407 for trucks.”

Lorraine Green, GASP co-chair, added, “GASP is opposed to Hwy. 413 because it will lead to low-density urban sprawl. Studies have proven that it will increase traffic congestion over time. It just doesn’t make sense as Highway 407, which parallels the route, is under-utilized.”