At the height of Wednesday’s snow and ice storm, the Trans-Canada Highway between Longlac and North Bay was closed.
And Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof was on his feet in the Ontario Legislature, calling for reaction to climate change.
He said it was the 14th time in 2023 that weather has shut down Hwy. 11, effectively paralyzing the country.
“Not only is the commerce stopped, but as we speak, there will be people stranded along that highway, because that highway is our main street,” the New Democrat stated.
Vanthof said that during the winter, 11 is safer than Highway 17, so more heavily travelled. He says it’s because of climate change, and he isn’t blaming anyone.
“I’m not blaming the contractors. I think they’re doing their best,” he told his colleagues. “I’m not even blaming the government. The government is trying to do a few things. But we have to realize that something is drastically changing and we need to address it.”
Vanthof’s full statement to the legislature is in the audio link below.
