Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney called it "an important day for the people of Northern Ontario."
The Ontario government is delivering a transportation plan it promises will "connect the North while supporting economic development and job creation."
Mulroney said in a virtual news conference, Thursday, the Ontario government hears the frustration of Northern Ontarians when it comes to transportation and infrastructure. "One size fits all does not work in Northern Ontario. What works in Toronto does not work in Northern Ontario. How could it?"
The Ministry of Transportation has presented its sweeping plan for Northern Ontario that is long on promises and vision for the present and future of transportation and infrastructure covering a vast region from Parry Sound and Nipissing to the shores of Hudson Bay and James Bay and all the way to the border with Manitoba in the west.
"Northern Ontario has long been awaiting improvements to create a more interconnected, modern transportation system that meets the unique needs of our communities," said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. "Our government's 21st-century vision for a Northern transportation network includes a plan for providing passenger rail to get people where they need to go, bolster the economic recovery of the whole region, and create new and exciting jobs for workers and families."
For locals, despite the welcome commitments to highway improvements, more frequent bus service, and improved winter maintenance and upkeep, the plan lacks a timeline for the restoration of passenger rail service.
The transportation plan is a living document, according to Mulroney, and outlines more than 60 actions, including the Ontario government making "further progress on our plan for passenger rail service in the North," a pledge this government campaigned on in 2018.
"Northern Ontario has unique transportation needs and this draft plan will make real improvements to transportation in the region," said Mulroney. "Our plan will help create a well-connected transportation network for the North to make it easier for people to get to critical services like healthcare while supporting more well-paid jobs through investments in infrastructure."
The 60 actions include measures such as widening highways in key corridors, expanding transit services, creating Northern economic opportunities, keeping people safe, and providing reliable travel options for remote and First Nation communities.
See the full document: Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario
Mulroney was joined on the call by Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines; and, Ross Romano, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
In 2020-21, Ontario is investing $625 million to expand and repair northern highways, investments the province estimates to create or sustain approximately 4,370 direct and indirect construction jobs in Northern Ontario.
As Mulroney indicated, the draft transportation plan is a living document that will continue to evolve. The province says it will work closely with the federal government, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, transportation agencies and local businesses to gather input and feedback on the plan.
