Finally! A response from Mary-Margaret McMahon about Bill 212
Some of you have may seen my[ list of things](https://old.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1gqeskh/list_of_things_to_do_to_fight_bill_212_week_of/) to do this week for Bill 212. And one of the things from the list I did was write to the members of the Standing Comittee on Heritage, Infrastructure & Cultural Policy about Bill 212 since the bill is now being reviewed by them. 2 Days after my email, I received a kind and thoughtful response from Mary-Margaret McMahon, an MPP in the Beaches area and I thought I'd share it with you because - our letters/emails/phone calls ARE having an impact and I hope this encourages to you write to the Standing Committee and to leave a comment on the Bill if you haven't done so yet.
Here're the 10 emails of the 10 members of the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure & Cultural Policy about Bill 212:
* [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
* Feel free to cc your own MPP (find them [here](https://www.ola.org/en/members/current#views-exposed-form-current-members-current-members-grid) ) and Minister Sakaria (his MTO email ([email protected]), unless you live in his riding and Doug/Marit/Bonnie [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
* [ OG Thread ](https://old.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1gpc2b5/psa_bill_212_has_been_referred_to_the_standing/)
Here's the email from her (I stripped out the images)
>Good Afternoon x,
>Thank you for your thoughtful and informative email. I hosted a community bike ride on Sunday, November 3rd where we had an incredible turnout. It was amazing to ride alongside and amplify the voices of passionate citizens like you who are sharing their voice online and offline to push this government to support our bike lanes!
>Bill 212 is coming to my committee (The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure, and Cultural Policy) during the week of November 18. There will be testimonies and written submissions reviewed by the committee, and I will also be submitting amendments to the bill.
>You can submit written comments to the committee. The deadline is **November 18 at 7pm**. Submit [here](https://www.ola.org/en/get-involved/participate-committees).
>The Environmental Registry of Ontario is also accepting comments on the bill. The deadline is **November 20 at 11:59pm**. Submit [here](https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-9265).
>Now, I respond to you today as a fellow person who bikes, but also as a mother, a friend, a daughter, and of course, your Member of Provincial Parliament. This legislation, Bill 212, has been weighing heavy on me these past weeks. It has left me feeling saddened, disheartened, angry at times. I have been channelling all of these emotions into my advocacy for you, and for our community of Beaches-East York, one that I know is not only bike-friendly and positive, but also rejects the divisiveness that the Premier and this Government have been trying to create between people who drive cars and well, everyone else.
>On October 23rd, I took part in the Rally and Ride that was organized outside of Queen’s Park. The turnout was incredible. It reminded me of my important position in the legislature, giving me energy to continue working for safe streets for ALL road users. The [Toronto Star wrote an article](https://www.thestar.com/news/you-build-safe-streets-or-people-die-hundreds-rally-at-queens-park-to-protest-plan/article_3148727c-9179-11ef-93b9-97980f37cd96.html) about the rally, which even includes a cheeky comment I made during my speech.
>I was able to put all of the energy from the rally and the countless messages from constituents, including yourself, to good use this week when I debated Bill 212 in the Chamber. I would humbly invite you to watch the clip on my [Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu_LF-Y3rag) and [see the questions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVLgJrI9Cxk) I was asked by other MPPs. This is one way I am able to amplify your voice to the Government, and I made mention of many points you laid out in your email.
>During that debate I shared a story with the House about the bike collision I had in my Riding at Woodbine Ave and Gerrard St East in 2014. As I was being thrown to the ground after being hit by the car, I thought, I may not get back up again. Luckily, I survived and was greeted at the hospital by my worried husband and two small kids. I know the story is sadly not the same for far too many fellow cyclists in this city. My collision was one of the reasons why I worked so hard to get bike lanes installed on Woodbine Ave when I was a Toronto City Councillor and continue to advocate for this issue in Provincial Parliament. Bike lanes and safe streets save lives.
>What this Government is doing is deplorable. They are valuing the lives of those who drive over all other vulnerable road users. If they really cared to solve congestion they would work harder on getting more cars off the road, encouraging those who drive to consider transit (they could open the Eglinton LRT for starters), biking, or walking. What’s important is providing choices to everyone on their mode of transport. I personally cycle, walk, take transit, and yes, sometimes drive. I’m happy to have bike lanes on my commute down to Queen’s Park, and we should be expanding the cycling infrastructure network so more people across the city will be motivated to bike safely to their destination. Build it and they will come!
>I won’t exhaust you with all of the facts about why bike lanes work. I know we both know why. What I will say is that I hope you know that you have a voice in me. I will continue to stand up to this Government about this heinous legislation, by encouraging active transportation and safe streets for all.
>I’m always happy to chat about this or other issues that are top of mind for you. If you want more regular updates about what I’m up to, consider signing up for my bi-weekly e-newsletter or [following my Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/marymargaretbey/).
>Safe Cycling,
>MM
If you have received any responses about Bill 212 - let's share them in the comments! I'd love to know what the politicians said - good or bad.