“I will continue to work toward and support improved highway safety”
To the Expositor:
I would like to address concerns regarding what our government is doing to improve safety on Northern Ontario highways, particularly in relation to Bill 49.
Although Bill 49 was not adopted, this does not mean that our government has not taken meaningful action to improve highway safety in Northern Ontario. Significant investments are being made, including the twinning of Highways 11 and 17, the addition of new rest areas, the construction of new commercial vehicle inspection stations, and the hiring of additional Ministry of Transportation (MTO) enforcement officers. These initiatives are ones that opposition parties have not previously supported.
Since 2018, officer staffing levels have increased by 78 per cent—nearly doubling previous levels. While Bill 49 would have added further administrative roles, ongoing hiring efforts have already resulted in more than 90,000 commercial vehicle inspections conducted in 2025, leading to over 27,000 charges laid.
Additional safety measures include the implementation of a 12-hour bare pavement standard on Highways 11 and 17, requiring maintenance contractors to restore bare pavement within 12 hours following a winter storm to ensure safer travel conditions.
With respect to licensing and training concerns, our government is actively reviewing training standards and cracking down on fraudulent commercial driver licences to further improve trucking safety, including in Northern Ontario. While all licencing testing is already MTO-certified under rigorous standards, this additional review is another proactive step to strengthen safety outcomes.
Public safety and road safety remain among my top priorities, as well as key priorities of this government. I am always open to receiving feedback for discussion with the Ministry of Transportation, and I wanted to highlight the work already underway to address highway safety concerns along Highways 11 and 17.
I also recognize the importance of reinstating traditional winter pushouts and pullouts, as well as effective snowplowing, to ensure safer travel and to allow winter outdoor recreation enthusiasts to park safely and enjoy their activities.
Thank you again for reaching out with your concerns. I will continue to work toward and support improved highway safety and road maintenance for my riding and for Northern Ontario.
Sincerely,
Bill Rosenberg,
Algoma–Manitoulin MPP
