Protest against Highway 413 to be held in Bolton on April 23

By Zachary Roman

A protest against the proposed Highway 413 will be part of a larger weekend of action for the environment in Ontario.

The upcoming protest will be held at 2 p.m. at the intersection of King and Queen streets in Bolton on April 23. It's part of the “yours to protect” weekend of action being promoted by Environmental Defence, an advocacy organization that's goal is to work with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

Dan O'Reilly, a Caledon-based activist against the 413 who helped organize the Bolton protest, said anyone is welcome to come. People can bring their own signs, but some will be available at the protest site too, he said.

“It's just a case of driving the message home, that (the 413) is a bad idea,” said O'Reilly.

He said the highway will be a major catalyst for sprawl, warehouses, and will drive more traffic to local roads.

O'Reilly was pleased with previous protests against the 413 he helped organize and said with Ontario's upcoming election in June, he expects the best turnout yet. He wants to make stopping the highway an election priority.

Lana Goldberg, Environmental Defence's Ontario Climate Program Manager, said the Highway 413 protest being held in Caledon is especially important, as Caledon's Mayor and Council have been supportive of the Highway. At a February 15 Town of Caledon planning and development meeting, a motion from Councillor Annette Groves for the Town to reconsider its support of the 413 was voted down.

“It's important for residents who will be impacted by the highway to express their disagreement with the proposal, and communicate that both to their Council and to the provincial government,” said Goldberg.

“Residents and municipalities along the route are opposed to the 413 because they know it won't resolve congestion and will actually lead to more traffic… and, of course, pave over the greenbelt and farms.”

Goldberg said the weekend of action is being held to let politicians from all parties know Ontarians care deeply about the environment. She hopes protests and actions taken on April 22, 23 and 24 will show politicians that people want a government that will protect nature, build sustainable communities and tackle climate change.

“People overall are gathering for various reasons, such as stopping sprawl, stopping Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, keeping lakes and rivers clean, protecting conservation areas,” said Goldberg.

Over 40 events are planned across the province, with around 10 being held to specifically protest Highway 413 and the Bradford Bypass, according to Goldberg.

One such protest will be held at Ontario Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney's office.