DISTRICT – Northern MPPs are seeking input from anyone with an interest in making Highway 11 and Highway 17 safer to drive.
Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof, Mushkegowuk-James Bay MPP Guy Bourgouin, and Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois have initiated virtual town hall meetings, and held the first one January 20. More are planned, said Vanthof in a telephone interview.
A discussion document has been created called “A Northern Strategy for Highway Safety.”
Vanthof explained that the MPPs have been pushing ideas forward to make the highways safer.
“There’s things that need to be changed and aren’t being changed.”
An effort is being made to draw Northerners into the discussion, as well as experienced truckers, and create a discussion that is non-partisan, he continued.
“We’re looking at it from a non-partisan perspective.”
The three MPPs are inviting Northerners “to identify what they want fixed.”
People in transportation, driving schools and truckers have been engaged to learn what they see as the issues.
Input is being invited by going to the websites of any of the three MPPs to provide questions or concerns.
Vanthof also invites people to visit his website to see what the MPPs have already put forward.
He also is clear that if there are lifelong truckers that think any of the points made so far are incorrect, he invites their input.
“If we’re suggesting something that does not make sense to you, please tell us.”
He also wants to hear if there is something that has not yet been said that should be said.
The top issues will be pushed forward in an effort to get the government of the day to make the needed changes.
INDEPENDENT TESTING
One of the key changes needed has already been identified, and was brought to the forefront in 2018 by the auditor-general, he pointed out.
There are over 100 companies in Ontario who recruit, train and license their own drivers.
“There’s no third party involved to make sure that the training is correct,” Vanthof said, adding that the auditor-general stated that some of those companies are among the worst for commercial motor vehicles accidents.
“There’s obviously a problem there.”
One of the changes being pushed is to have an MTO-certified independent tester test drivers before they are licensed to driver a commercial motor vehicle, Vanthof said.
“That would be a big step in the right direction.”
MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS
The MPPs also want the MTO to take responsibility for the management of the highway maintenance contracts, as was previously done.
At this time, highway maintenance companies must bid on long-term contracts and must predict what their costs will be. The terms of the contracts determine when the plows and sanders are brought out, said Vanthof.
“They are not based on actual conditions. That’s wrong.”
There is one area near Kingston which is now operating under the management of the MTO and Vanthof says he and his fellow MPPs think that arrangement should be implemented across the province.
The MTO should not have to buy new equipment under a new arrangement, but use the contractors to run the equipment, he said. He thinks the arrangement might even be fairer for the contractors.
RAIL FREIGHT SERVICES
Another idea that is being pushed is to use rail freight services when possible in an effort to get some of the truck traffic off Highways 11 and 17.
“Where it makes economic sense, that’s a good idea. We should focus on that,” said Vanthof.
“A good example is Georgia Pacific which is putting a lot of their product on rail, and that’s taking pressure off the roads. That’s a great thing.”
He said people who have never driven Highway 11 or 17 can’t understand that it is very different than driving on a Southern Ontario country road where there is no transport traffic.
There are approximately 2,000 transports driving on Highway 11, the TransCanada highway, every day, he said.
Area residents who do not have an alternative route available to get their groceries or obtain medical care, send their children to school on buses, or obtain other important family needs, must use Highway 11. They hope that the many transports they meet are driven by well-trained drivers, while at the same time coping with whatever condition the highway is in that day.
“Are we going to get rid of the trucks? No. We need the truck traffic, but we need the TransCanada highway to actually be safe.”
