Three New Democratic Party Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) representing Northern Ontario have tabled a bill to boost safety on Highway 11 and 17, a crucial yet hazardous corridor.
Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk–James Bay), John Vanthof (Timiskaming–Cochrane) and Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay‑Superior North) aim to reduce daily risks faced by all road users, including truck drivers.
“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.”
For Mr. Vanthof, it’s common sense:
“This is a commonsense, non-partisan issue. 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.”
Suzanne Kukko, mayor of Nipigon, supports 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 — officially titled the Northern Highway 11 and 17 Safety Act, 2025 — was introduced for first reading in the Ontario legislature on June 4, 2025.
Key proposed measures include:
- Mandatory operation of weigh stations and inspection sites for at least 12 hours daily;
- Strengthened enforcement of the Highway Traffic Act;
- Return of winter maintenance on Highways 11/17 under direct responsibility of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO);
- Requirement for MTO‑certified examiners to conduct commercial truck driving tests.
This legislative effort addresses long-standing safety concerns on this major Northern Ontario route—and key segment of the Trans‑Canada Highway—which has often been criticized for its dangers.
Video : facebook.com/guybourgouinmjb
Read More :
Ontario’s Highway 11-17: Crashes, Broken Lives… and Government Neglect
