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Ford Government Wins Appeal in Toronto Bike Lanes Court Battle
The unanimous 3-0 ruling overturns a lower-court decision and leaves unclear when the province will begin removing nearly 20 kilometres of lanes.
- On Friday, the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled unanimously, 3-0, allowing Premier Doug Ford's government to remove nearly 20 kilometres of protected bike lanes on Yonge Street, Bloor Street, and University Avenue in downtown Toronto.
- The ruling reversed a lower court decision by Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas, who found the removals violated Charter rights; Appeal Justice Grant Huscroft wrote that courts should not involve themselves in legislative policy decisions.
- Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria cited traffic gridlock costing Ontario more than $56 billion annually as justification, while EcoJustice spokesperson Venetia Jones noted internal documents suggest removal could increase collisions by 54 per cent.
- Despite the ruling, Cycle Toronto representative Michael Longfield vowed to continue fighting, asserting that removing the lanes will put lives at risk, though the government has not yet confirmed a removal timeline.
- The decision affirms that the government "exercised its law-making authority," with Huscroft clarifying that courts play no role in policy development and the current administration is not Charter-bound to maintain bike lanes installed by predecessors.
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Justice Watch: Ontario Court of Appeal overturns Justice Paul Schabas' ruling blocking Toronto bike-lane removals
Subhead:Appeal court says Schabas erred in finding a Charter right was engaged by Ontario's decision to remove bike lanes, declaring that courts have no business second-guessing legitimate legislative policy.#
Toronto Bike Lanes Not Protected by Charter, Appeal Court Rules
The Ontario Court of Appeal has overturned a lower court ruling that had prevented the province from getting rid of bike lanes in downtown Toronto, finding that removal of the lanes does not violate the Charter rights of cyclists as the lower court had claimed. The unanimous Court of Appeal decision from the three-judge panel grants a victory to the province of Ontario, which had appealed the Ontario Superior Court decision by Justice Paul Schab…
·New York, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources44
Leaning Left29Leaning Right5Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution76% Left
Bias Distribution
- 76% of the sources lean Left
76% Left
L 76%
11%
13%
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