Snow-plowing situation needs improvments now

News Release
Sarah Campbell, MPP

QUEEN’S PARK – Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the return of winter snow in the North is once again resulting in unreasonable highway closures, despite government promises to address the situation.
“Last weekend, much later than usual, the Northwest finally received its first dump of snow, and the contractors should have been prepared,” said Campbell during this morning’s question period. “Highways closed, accidents increased and the region came to a standstill. Even the public school board’s bus cancellation notice conceded that ‘very little clearing had occurred.’”
Campbell says the ongoing problems with road closures are threatening the safety of Northern residents, while also reducing their ability to go about their daily lives.
“Despite MTO assurances that the ministry has increased contractors’ budgets by 16 per cent, and that will put new equipment on the roads, conditions were as bad as ever in the northwest,” said Campbell. “The bottom line is that you’ve reduced these contracts by $22 million.”
Campbell and other Northern NDP Caucus members have been collecting reports from area residents about road conditions and closures, and have repeatedly called on the government to address serious shortfalls in winter road maintenance.
Campbell’s office has been flooded with calls. Concerned residents say some highways are often unsafe to travel for up to a week after moderate snowfall, and preventative measures are often not being taken.
“We can’t continue to shut down the entire region whenever there’s a snowfall, and your assurances are not working,” said Campbell. “Will you act now to ensure that highways in northwestern Ontario are maintained all year long?”

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