Northern NDP MPPs push to improve safety on Highways 11 and 17

QUEEN’S PARK — MPP Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk–James Bay) is introducing legislation to make Northern highways safer, along with MPP John Vanthof (Timiskaming–Cochrane) and MPP Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay–Superior North).

“Highways are a lifeline in the North. Residents of Northern Ontario deserve the same level of highway safety and oversight as any other part of the province,” said Bourgouin. “This bill is about saving lives and ensuring our communities are not treated as second-class citizens.”

“This is a commonsense, non-partisan issue,” added Vanthof. “For too long, Northern Ontarians have had to live with risk that would never be tolerated elsewhere. We need to take action before more lives are lost on roads that are essential to our communities, industries, and First Nations.”

Mayor Suzanne Kukko of the Township of Nipigon also voiced her support for the initiative: “As a non-partisan Northern mayor, I support this private bill. In the North we see many serious accidents caused by commercial vehicles. With better checks and balances proposed through this bill, there's no question it would save lives.”

The bill will be tabled for first reading in the Ontario Legislature on June 4, 2025.

BACKGROUND:

The Northern Highway 11 and 17 Safety Act, 2025 addresses longstanding safety concerns on two of the most vital and dangerous transportation routes of Northern Ontario. The proposed bill mandates scale and inspection stations on the routes to operate at least 12 hours daily, sufficient enforcement of the Highway Traffic Act, mandatory testing of truck drivers for commercial licensing by examiners certified by the Ministry of Transportation, and restores management of winter highway maintenance on Highways 11 and 17 to the Ministry of Transportation.