Re: “Clark urges fire-fighting strategy,” May 19.
Premier Christy Clark states that it’s “urgent that we fight climate change and do everything we can to beat it.” But Clark’s Transportation Minister Todd Stone is denying the effect of freeway spending on the climate crisis.
The cliché “you can’t build your way out of congestion” is well proven. And numerous studies show that roadway capacity increases cause increased carbon pollution. Yet Stone’s May 18 media release makes the misleading claim that the $85-million McKenzie interchange will “lower greenhouse-gas emissions.” Claiming black is white when it comes to carbon pollution is worse than irresponsible.
In 2008, the B.C. Liberals promised shoulder bus lanes between downtown and the West Shore. Bus lanes are a cost-effective way of reducing the carbon pollution, as well as giving people a way to avoid congestion.
This $85 million should go to build the long-promised West Shore bus lanes, not to the McKenzie interchange boondoggle.
Eric Doherty
Victoria
