What is Bill 212?
Bill 212, Reducing Gridlock, Saving You Time Act, 2024 is provincial legislation introduced on October 21st whose stated aim is to “get drivers where they need to go faster”. It has 5 separate sections, including prioritizing the construction of highway 413, and specific amendments to Highway Traffic Act requiring provincial approval of new and existing bike lanes.
What’s the big deal?
Bill 212 is rife with contradictions. Bill 212 would exempt the building of a new highway from the Environmental Assessment Act while simultaneously requiring more red tape for both new and existing bike lanes to undergo Ministry review with yet-to-be-determined criteria.
What does Bill 212 say about road safety?
Nothing. The sole stated criteria for Ministry evaluation of any bike lane is its impact on “the orderly movement of motor vehicle traffic”.
Does Bill 212 really apply to new and existing bike lanes?
Yes.
How will that be determined?
The legislation’s preamble claims assessment criteria for bike lanes will “be developed in consultation with targeted stakeholders including large municipalities”. No specifics have been given.
What bike lanes will be impacted?
While Transportation Minister Sarkaria initially indicated no specific bike lanes were targeted for removal ahead of assessment at an early press conference, an update on October 31 now specifically calls to “remove sections of the Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue bike lanes” and require “the City of Toronto to provide support to facilitate the removal of the bike lanes.“
What sections of Bloor, Yonge, and University will be removed?
There is no reason to assume any sections of those bikeways would be exempt from removal.
Can they really do that?
Yes. The provincial legislature has power over all 444 municipalities in Ontario, including the City of Toronto.
How soon could Bill 212 become law?
By numerous accounts the province appears to be fast-tracking this legislation ahead of holiday break. TVO reports that “the government has also significantly reduced debate and committee time” for Bill 212. Pushed through second reading this week, it will be brought to Committee on November 18th, reviewed on November 21st, and could pass third reading as early as November 25th before Royal Assent.
What happens next?
Nobody knows for sure.
