In the wake of a spate of traffic accidents across the north yesterday, MP Charlie Angus is calling out the federal and provincial governments, saying the two need to work together to improve northern highways and reduce deaths.
"Highway 11 is still closed at Earlton. (It's since reopened) There was a fatality," Angus wrote in a Facebook post. "Highway 144 south of Timmins is closed from an accident. Highway 11 near Longlac is closed because of a jackknifed trailer."
The victim was a 44-year-old Timmins man, originally from New Liskeard; however, had resided in Timmins for several years.
"The Trans-Canada highway is the main trucker route for goods across the country. In Northern Ontario it is little more than two lanes, often with no detour routes available. The feds need to step up with the province to ensure better northern roads for both public safety and economic security."
Angus says people in Northeastern Ontario are four times more likely to die in highway accidents than other parts of the province.
"Two lanes of Highway 11 and Highway 17 are the truckers' highway for goods across this country and yet privatized road maintenance, a lack of proper public transit and narrow twisting highways leaves too many people at risk. We need to work across the north for better infrastructure and services for our residents."
