THUNDER BAY — Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles promised to take action on a host of highway safety measures if her party forms the next provincial government.
“We're going to get started day one. (The) first 100 days, we're going to start moving on these things. That's my commitment to you. I just don't think we can have a government that's going to say ‘I'll get around to that.”
During a campaign stop in Thunder Bay, Stiles committed to taking charge of trucker training and testing as well as highway maintenance and snow clearing, and to widening some northern highways.
“An NDP government will make highways safer, starting with widening Highway 11 and 17 and Highway 69, and yes, building the Cochrane bypass.
"We will end private highway maintenance and snow clearance contracts and bring them back under public control. Let's be clear, it is costing us a fortune and it is not as effective and, and, and putting lives at risk.
“We are going to bring back truck driver exams and training under public control, so only qualified drivers are licensed.
"And we will end unfair highway downloading by taking back responsibility for highways that were unjustly dumped onto municipalities, easing the financial burden on you, and on your families, because at the end of the day, it's the people that end up taking on that cost,” she said.
As premier, Stiles said she would build a transportation system that puts people first.
Stiles said the highways in and around Thunder Bay need much improvement to be safer, particularly as locals use the highways on a daily basis to access essential services like healthcare.
“There is 800 kilometres of highway between Timmins and Thunder Bay. There is now one maternity room between that and 800 kilometres of highway. Think about what that means for an expectant mom," said Stiles.
“She's got to travel one way or the other, hundreds and hundreds of kilometres, and at this time of year especially, it's going to be dangerous. At a time when it probably should be your family's happiest day, happiest time, the arrival of a newborn, it's just additional stress, anxiety, and frankly danger for both the parent and the baby. We need to change things.”
Chris Martin, a safety and compliance manager with a local trucking company, said he deals with tickets, accidents and violations.
“The reason I'm here today, is to support the NDP. The NDP party is the only party that is listening to me and my suggestions and helped me out over the last two to three years."
Jordie Madore, truck driver of nearly 30 years, said truck drivers currently don’t have the skill to keep highways safe.
“Because northern Ontario is a single access point across Canada, when we had the bridge in Nipigon closed down for almost a month, that shuts down Canada. All the commodities that are going through Canada have one point.”
Madore said he is hopeful for an NDP government, who are willing to spend money on widening highways and providing the training that is much needed.
“It's not everybody else's responsibility for you (as a truck driver). But it's yours for them, because you are way bigger,” Madore said.
While in the city, Stiles took in some curling at the Scottie’s Tournament of Hearts Friday evening. She then was seen at the Thunder Bay Country Market and the Persian Man on Saturday morning.
