MPP Michael Mantha : Winter Highway Safety & #VibrantSeniors
NDP MPP Michael Mantha, Algoma-Manitoulin
Here in Northern Ontario we know what winter driving is. Many in Northern Ontario must drive daily in dangerous conditions, to and from work, taking our children to school and sports practices, driving to medical appointments and so on. Yet-many of those making decisions on how our winter roads should be maintained are doing so from a board room downtown Toronto.
During the winter months I receive numerous calls and emails regarding the treacherous road conditions. Some areas hadn`t been salted this past winter for several days; we think that`s unacceptable.
Today the Minister of Transportation released Winter Highway Maintenance Action Plan in response to the Auditor General of Ontario’s report on winter highway maintenance.
The plan lays out how the province will try and improve winter road conditions, keep drivers better informed and increase oversight of winter maintenance contractor performance which has been extremely poor.
Privatizing winter road maintenance has put drivers in Ontario at risk all across the province. Everyone knows that in the winter its going to snow, and Ontarians deserve efficient and high quality snow-clearing to ensure our roads are safe.
But instead of fixing the problems, the Minister is continuing to put the interests of powerful companies ahead of drivers. In fact, earlier this year Ontario’s Auditor-General reported it’s taking longer to clear roads and many of the private contractors are failing to keep up their end of the deal. The Liberals told Ontarians they could expect better, but sadly it’s more of the same.
Privatized road clearing has failed. Unsafe roads put families at risk, and it put the brakes on trade and the economy. Drivers heading into Manitoba can see the moment they cross the border; their publicly cleared roads put public safety first, not private bottom lines. Just think what’s going to happen when Kathleen Wynne sells-off Hydro One.
As we wrap up the month of June I just wanted to take the opportunity to remind folks that June is Senior’s Month. In June each year, Ontario celebrates seniors and recognized the contributions they make to our communities.
This year’s theme is Vibrant Seniors, Vibrant Communities.
New this year, the @OntSeniors account will be featuring one photo on Twitter each business day in June featuring seniors engaging in activities and events that capture their vibrant spirit. Join the fun and share your own pictures on Twitter by tweeting @OntSeniors using the hashtag #vibrantseniors, and show Ontario how vibrant and active you and the seniors in your lives are. Happy Seniors’ Month!
As always, please feel free to contact my office about this issue, or any other provincial matters. You can reach my constituency office by email at mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca or by phone at 705-461-9710/1-800-831-1899.
MPP Michael Mantha, Algoma-Manitoulin
