Title
DEPUTATIONS REGARDING MOTION 21-G-137, PROPOSED BRADFORD BYPASS
The following individuals provided Deputations regarding motion 21-G-137, Proposed Bradford Bypass.
1. Margaret Prophet, Executive Director of Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition (SCGC) provided an overview on the SCGC, a not-for-profit organization that contains members from across Simcoe County.
Ms. Prophet discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• The SCGC key concerns of the proposed Bradford Bypass;
• Recognition of the City’s demonstrated leadership to support the climate emergency, Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Strategy and opposing harmful Ministry Zoning Orders (MZOs);
• The potential impacts to the City of Barrie, and surrounding municipalities as a result of the proposed Bradford Bypass;
• A map illustrating the municipalities surrounding Lake Simcoe interconnect by water, air, climate and economies; and
• Photographs illustrating the headwaters of Lake Simcoe and landscapes that would be impacted by the route of the Bypass.
2. Claire Malcolmson, Executive Director of Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition (RLSC) advised of the Coalition’s focus on the health of Lake Simcoe, to rescue, restore and rehabilitate for the future.
Ms. Malcolmson discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• An overview on the multiple stresses occurring that impact Lake Simcoe;
• The climate change and phosphorus loads associated to Lake Simcoe from 2000 to 2017;
• A map illustrating the Lake Simcoe Watershed, Environmental Policy Protections;
• A photo illustrating the location of the Bradford Bypass and close proximity to Lake Simcoe;
• Maps illustrating the route of the proposed project and the negative impacts to woodlands, wetlands, and wildlife habitats;
• An inadequate process associated to a build now process, timelines that make no sense and consultations that were misleading;
• The exemption to the EAA and TESR for the project;
• The Lake Simcoe Protection Act objectives affected by the project; and
• The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan principles ignored by the project.
Members of Council asked questions to Ms. Malcolmson and received responses.
3. Jenni Le Forestier advised that she is in support of Council’s motion for the proposed Bradford Bypass. She discussed her concerns with the project associated to the impacts on climate, food security and the ability to grow food locally, a highway running through a wetland and farmland and the loss of environmental sensitive lands important for source and storm water protection that potentially provides critical habitat for endangered species. local governments to stand strong against development pressure.
Ms. Le Forestier discussed the Provincial Environmental Assessment (EA) for Bradford that is a relic and was conducted before the rapid loss of biodiversity due to industrialization and the ever-increasing resulting impacts of the Climate Emergency. She advised that Auditor General identified the Provincial EA less than 20% compliant with recommendations made in 2016 and most recently reassessed in March 2020.
Ms. Le Forestier expressed her concern on impacts to the Holland Marsh not being addressed sufficiently, no studies done assessing the archeological devastation of routing a highway through traditional Treaty Lands, not addressing climate impacts and no alternative routes and solutions being explored. She noted that in her opinion the process had significant void in public consultation and transparency.
Ms. Le Forestier further expressed her concerns associated to the loss of farmland and significant wetlands that will impact farmers to grow and produce fruits, vegetables, grains, and livestock. She noted Ontario Federation of Agriculture's new campaign that focuses on increasing awareness and enhancing consumer knowledge of home-grown foods, protecting, and preserving farmland and domestic food production.