THORNHILL — Ontario Premier Doug Ford criticized a recent court ruling that deemed his law to remove three bike lanes in Toronto unconstitutional. He described the decision as the "most ridiculous" ruling he has encountered. Ford's government plans to appeal the ruling while also negotiating a compromise with the city to maintain the bike lanes and add more lanes for vehicles.

Ford expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would overturn the lower court's decision. However, he did not dismiss the possibility of invoking the notwithstanding clause if necessary. "Let’s see what happens at the Court of Appeals, and then we’ll go from there, but I have confidence in the courts," he stated during a transit announcement.

The ruling by Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Schabas indicated that removing the bike lanes would increase the risk of harm and death for cyclists, violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Schabas pointed out that the government had received expert advice and evidence suggesting that the removal of the bike lanes would not achieve the intended goal of reducing traffic.

Ford had made the removal of bike lanes on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, and University Avenue a key issue during the snap election he called and won in February. He argued that the judge's ruling undermines the democratic rights of the people of Ontario. "This is the most ridiculous decision I’ve ever seen," he said. "I’ve never seen a decision like this, that a judge overrules the people of Ontario because of ideology — not because of law — ideology."

This is not the first time Ford has questioned the integrity of judges. In April, he criticized judges he believed were lenient on crime and suggested reforms such as electing judges and providing incentives for early retirement. Last year, he defended his government's appointments of two former staffers to a committee responsible for selecting provincial judges, emphasizing his preference for "like-minded people" in such roles.