Ontario's approach to Smart Growth involves managing growth and development in existing urban and suburban communities, allowing the economy to grow and prosper, while improving the quality of life and preserving the environment. Smart Growth seeks to bring better integration and balance to local land use planning and development decisions. This is a prime example of how a bold, environmentally-sensitive vision statement can still lead to massive environmental destruction. No mention has been made of funding for public transit, and certainly there has been no attempt to manage growth in urban areas in order to protect the environment and maximize the efficient use of existing structure. Little thought has been given to the inevitable impact of the new highways on urban sprawl.
New infrastructure facilitates new growth.
To invest in infrastructure that increases access to rural areas will only facilitate industrial, residential and recreational development of major parts of southern Ontario. Say goodbye to our foodlands and natural ecosystems. The Ministry of Transportation has outlined a planning process that will include both a needs assessment and an environmental assessment. The government's approach to planning is to first establish need and justification for the highway project, and to scope the range of alternatives by carrying out a detailed Needs Assessment. The environmental approval process includes an evaluation of the initiative, range of alternatives and alternative methods of carrying out the initiative.