Edmonton (Rajeev Sharma): The Alberta government has welcomed a recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling concerning bike lanes, saying the decision reinforces the authority of elected governments to determine transportation policies in the public interest.
Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen said the ruling supports the principle that governments can make changes to transportation infrastructure according to the needs of their communities.
In a statement issued Saturday, Dreeshen said the court’s decision was a positive development for elected governments and argued that there is no constitutional entitlement to a bike lane.
The minister said Alberta’s transportation policies would continue to focus on practical considerations and the needs of people using roads, rather than being shaped by what he described as ideological considerations.
“Albertans expect their government to make transportation decisions based on what works for our communities,” Dreeshen said.
Alberta working on transportation legislation
Dreeshen said the Alberta government is preparing legislation aimed at ensuring transportation infrastructure serves different categories of road users.
He added that the findings of Ontario’s Court of Appeal would be reviewed as Alberta completes its own legislative work.
The comments come as Alberta develops its approach to transportation infrastructure and the use of road space. The government has indicated that safety, accessibility and the overall needs of communities will be key considerations in its policy decisions.
Government stresses public interest
Dreeshen said Albertans elected the current government to make decisions that protect public safety and support quality of life.
He argued that transportation planning should account for everyone who relies on roads rather than prioritising one particular form of transportation.
The minister also criticised what he described as an approach in which transportation decisions had been influenced by ideology, saying infrastructure planning should instead be based on practical outcomes.
The Ontario court ruling will now form part of the considerations for Alberta officials as they work towards finalising the province’s proposed transportation legislation.
Dreeshen said the government would continue examining how roads and other transportation infrastructure can accommodate all users while meeting the needs of communities across Alberta.
