Toronto | Traditional territories of the Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – In an effort to Stop Highway 413, local community members have organized walks and bike rides passing through different sections of farmland, forests and the Greenbelt that are threatened by the proposed Highway 413 with a focus on two walks through downtown Bolton.
This year’s walk is being held in memory of Jenni Le Forestier, a dedicated environmentalist and community organizer who passed away in 2022.
This event is being led by Grandmothers Act to Save the Planet 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.
“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, EcoCaledon. “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.”
“While the lands taken from the Greenbelt have been saved (Hurray!) the government is still pushing urban sprawl and the people of Ontario must continue to take steps to save our green space and farmland for future generations. The 413 Highway will cut through the Greenbelt’s Nashville Conservation Reserve, the headwaters of the Credit and the Humber rivers and is merely 14 km north of the almost empty 407 toll highway,” said Kathy Geczi, Unitarian Congregation is Mississauga.
“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 HWY 407 which parallels the route is under utilized. HWY 413 will hasten the destruction of species habitat and interrupt sensitive ecosystems, wetlands, forests, and prime farmland, while adding tons of CO2 into our atmosphere,” said Lorraine Green, GASP Co-chair. “We support sustainable public transit, walking, cycling, and better use of existing infrastructure. As grandmothers and grand ‘others’ we want to leave a livable healthy planet for our grandchildren. More highways are not the answer.”
WHAT: Harvest Ontario Walk to Stop The 413 – a set of walks and cycling routes drawing attention to the farmland and green space threatened by Highway 413.
WHERE: The two main walks will meet in downtown Bolton. There will also be walks in Halton, King County and the Nashville Conservation Reserve.
A map of all events, with additional information about each event, is available here: https://environmentaldefence.ca/howtostop413/
WHEN: Saturday, October 14. Most walks and rides start at 10:00 AM.
For more information about the Harvest Ontario Walk to Stop the 413 Weekend, please visit: https://environmentaldefence.ca/howtostop413/
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Daniella Zanchi, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
Or the media contacts listed for each event listed above.
