In a letter published on January 14 in Manitoulin.com, Thunder Bay–Superior North NDP MPP Lise Vaugeois raises serious concerns about road safety in Northern Ontario.
She argues that urgent measures are needed to improve the Trans-Canada Highway, Highways 11 and 17, which are vital for local communities, commercial drivers and the Canadian economy.
According to Ms. Vaugeois, recent upgrades do not change the reality that long stretches of these highways remain unsafe. She notes that many sections still lack passing lanes, offer little to no safe shoulder space, and provide very limited places for drivers to pull over and rest. She also highlights that several remote areas have no cell signal, and that winter maintenance varies widely from one region to another due to privatization, creating unpredictable driving conditions.
Winter maintenance and stalled projects
Ms. Vaugeois points out that Bill 49, which she supported, would have restored winter road maintenance under the direct responsibility of Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO). The bill also aimed to impose an eight-hour snow-clearing standard on the Trans-Canada Highway, similar to what is already required on Ontario’s 400-series highways. She expresses disappointment that the proposal was voted down at a time when northern regions need consistent and reliable service.
She also reminds readers that the planned 2+1 pilot project for the North Bay area, announced in 2022, has yet to begin. In her view, this configuration—two lanes in one direction and one in the other, alternating at intervals—should be considered in all locations where full twinning is not feasible. She notes that several northern organizations, including NOMA, FONOM and the Northern Policy Institute, have been urging the province to treat this issue as an infrastructure priority.
A costly inspection station that rarely operates
Ms. Vaugeois also draws attention to the Shuniah inspection station, a 30-million-dollar facility east of Thunder Bay that, according to her, is rarely open. She mentions that the Minister of Transportation previously indicated the station should function around the clock, yet the same government later argued that staffing it even half of that time would be too difficult. She views this contradiction as a sign of inconsistent leadership on road safety in the North.
She acknowledges one positive development: the MTO is currently hiring eight new Transportation Enforcement Officers for northern Ontario. She believes that recruiting directly within the region could help stabilize staffing levels. In the past, candidates trained in Thunder Bay at significant expense but were free to transfer elsewhere once certified, leaving northern positions vacant.
- Read More : Highway 11 : A Tragedy That Slipped Under the Radar Exposes Major Gaps and a Deep Sense of Injustice
Training and oversight gaps in the trucking sector
Ms. Vaugeois cites findings from the Auditor General showing major shortcomings in the oversight of commercial driver training. Only eight provincial inspectors oversee more than 700 training institutions, including over 230 commercial driving schools. She argues that such limited staffing makes proper regulation impossible.
The lack of oversight extends beyond schools. Industry sources quoted by Ms. Vaugeois indicate that nearly 90 percent of trucking carriers in Ontario have never been audited by the MTO, enabling companies with poor compliance practices to operate for years without consequences.
Wage theft and unsafe working conditions
Ms. Vaugeois reports that, during a public meeting held by truck drivers in Brampton, many participants described experiencing wage theft and difficult working conditions. Some drivers said they are only paid when their truck is moving, receiving no compensation during border delays, road closures, loading or unloading.
She warns that when drivers lose income during unavoidable downtime, they may feel pressured to take risks to make up for lost wages, which puts everyone on the road in danger. She argues that companies should be required to pay drivers for all hours worked and that Ontario’s Ministry of Labour must have the capacity to investigate complaints promptly.
A call for political pressure
Ms. Vaugeois states that these issues have been known for years but remain unaddressed due to a lack of political will. She encourages residents of Northern Ontario to contact their provincial representatives and demand:
- the return of winter highway maintenance to the MTO
- full-time operation of the Shuniah inspection station
- mandatory and frequent audits for trucking carriers
- sanctions against non-compliant companies
- accelerated improvements to Highways 11 and 17
She concludes that the safety of all users of the Trans-Canada Highway must outweigh partisan interests and delays.
