NDP: Ford Gov’t Must Stop Treating Northern Highways and Residents As Second-Class
QUEEN’S PARK, ON — John Vanthof, NDP MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane, challenged the Ford government Tuesday morning for its’ second-class treatment of drivers on Highways 11 and 17 in the North.
“Last night, Highway 17 east of Nipigon was closed due to snow. Highway 11 between Nipigon and Cochrane was also closed, causing serious difficulties and delays to drivers trying to get home. People and freight were stranded, with no possible alternate route to take home,” Vanthof said in the legislature.
“This is the Trans-Canada highway we’re talking about — a vital economic link for Ontario. But because first the Liberals and now the Ford government don’t consider Northern Ontario and the upkeep of its roadways a priority, last night this link was cut in half — Northern Ontario was cut in half.”
On Nov. 7, the Ford Conservatives voted against an NDP-led bill that would have improved winter highway maintenance on Highways 11 and 17 and reduced winter closures, making snow clearance on Highways 11 and 17 as much a priority as it is on the 400-series highways in the south. The Conservative MPP for Nipissing told media that northern highways should continue to be classified as Class 2 highways, rather than upgraded to Class 1.
“As we saw last night, Northern Ontario families continue to pay the price for the Ford government’s second-class treatment,” Vanthof said.
“Why do Doug Ford and his cabinet members from Northern Ontario believe that Northern Ontarians deserve second-class safety and road clearing?”
*for context, see release below regarding the vote for Bill 125
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Doug Ford Conservatives Vote Against Bill to Save Lives on Northern Highways: NDP
NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin released the following statement after Doug Ford’s Conservatives voted against Bill 125, Making Northern Ontario’s Highways Safer Act.
Bourgouin’s bill sought to improve winter road maintenance on highways 11 and 17 in order to reduce the number of winter closures and collisions on Northern Ontario roads.
“The Ford Conservative Government has shamelessly put a price on the lives of people who tragically die and get injured on Northern Ontario highways every winter.
While the Liberals are privatized and de-regulated winter highway maintenance, Doug Ford’s Conservatives are taking a toll on the bill, which could have improved the quality of our roads, and saved lives.
Doug Ford’s northern ministers Greg Rickford, Ross Romano and Fedeli Vic – all skipped the vote, preferring to tow Ford’s line rather than stand up and protect northern families.
Northern Ontarians will remember their unforgivable decision to support Doug Ford
NDP MP Guy Bourgouin made the following statement after Doug Ford’s Conservatives voted against Bill 125, the 2019 Act to Enhance Public Road Safety in Northern Ontario.
Bourgouin MP’s bill was designed to improve winter maintenance on Highways 11 and 17 to reduce the number of winter closures and collisions on northern Ontario highways.
“The Conservative government of Doug Ford ruthlessly put a price on the lives of those who tragically die and hurt each winter on highways in northern Ontario.
While the Liberals privatized and deregulated winter road maintenance, the Conservatives voted against a bill that could save lives and improve the quality of our roads. We are getting worse.
Conservative ministers from Northern Ontario – Greg Rickford, Ross Romano and Vic Fedeli – were not present at voting time. Instead of defending and protecting northern families, they chose to follow Mr. Ford’s direction.
Northern Ontarians will always remember their decision to support Doug Ford at the expense of northern drivers who will continue to risk their lives this winter.”
