The provincial NDP is renewing their efforts to improve highway safety in northern Ontario.
They want truck inspection stations staffed 12 hours a day, increased OPP enforcement and improved truck driver training.
They also want the responsibility of winter road maintenance returned to the Ministry of Transportation.
Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin says the asks address concerns that have existed for years.
“Over the years, I’ve introduced several bills on this issue, covering winter highway maintenance, similar training for truck drivers, and even making it illegal to pass on two solid lines,” says Bourgouin.
“Yet despite these efforts, we’ve seen little improvement. In fact, conditions have worsened.”
Thunder Bay-Superior North Lise Vaugeois says there have been far too many tragic stories about highway safety that need to be addressed.
She says, in many cases, they involved transports, but she narrows the blame on a lack of adequate training.
“New drivers need and deserve to receive the full training required to safely drive transport trucks,” says Vaugeois.
“Many new drivers are treated as indentured servants with little ability to demand driver and maintenance training. If testing and licensing is done by ministry-certified examiners, companies will be forced to make sure new drivers have the skills to pass the written and road tests.”
The Mayor of Nipigon supports the NDP proposals.
Suzanne Kukko says the number of incidents on the Trans Canada Highway has lasting effects on residents and the emergency personnel who respond.
“How can I call myself an advocate for my community and not come here and support this bill?, says Kukko.
The current government has taken steps to increase highway safety on 11-17 and it is appreciated and welcomed, but here is their opportunity to do more.”
Bourgouin’s Private Member’s Bill was introduced in the Ontario Legislature on Wednesday.
He expects it to be debated at Queen’s Park in the fall.
