Queensway widening a ‘bad idea’
I fully support the argument by Jim Watson, MPP for Ottawa West-Nepean and minister of health promotion, that the provincial government has a role to play in illness prevention. However, his musings about how to achieve that goal cause me great concern.
Before Mr. Watson goes too far with his shape up and reform package, he needs to recall the first principle for wannabe do-gooders from any level of government: Get your own house in order before you start lecturing others about changing their bad habits.
As a case in point, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) directly contributes to thousands of deaths, illnesses and injuries every year though its road expansion programs, including the current effort to expand the Queensway and increase the amount of traffic in Ottawa.
As is well-documented, traffic-related deaths and injuries combined with smog-related illnesses impose a huge burden on the health-care system. Worse, those costs do not begin to reflect the misery that traffic-related incidents cause the affected individuals and their families.
More than a year ago, Mr. Watson was asked in his capacity as MPP, Ottawa West-Nepean, to promote alternative transportation in Ottawa (walking, cycling, transit) by rejecting the MTO proposals for Queensway widenings, some of which occur in his own riding. Moreover, Premier Dalton McGuinty was also informed of the need to run MTO out of town before the road builders start bringing in the heavy equipment.
Months have gone by, but not a peep has been heard from either Mr. Watson or the premier about terminating MTO’s Queensway expansion mission.
That lack of action on a known health problem caused by a provincial government agency raises serious doubts in my mind about the true purpose of the Ministry of Health Promotion.
Mr. Watson could clarify things by explaining why he has not already told MTO that the Queensway widenings are a bad idea and that he wants them terminated immediately for health reasons, which is the government’s declared number one priority.
Dr. Barry Wellar,
Ridley Blvd.