Queen’s Park launches northern transportation task force

TORONTO—The Ontario government has announced the creation of a task force for northern Ontario that will focus on transportation needs in the region.

The Northern Task Force includes representation from northern mayors, Indigenous chiefs and other business and transportation leaders from across the north, stated a recent release.

The task force was one of the 60 pledges contained in the government’s Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario action plan.

“Our government understands that northern Ontario has unique transportation needs that can make travelling between local communities more challenging for people, and we continue to take action to alleviate these challenges and make travel safer,” said Minister of Transportation Caroline Mulroney in a statement.

The task force leaders will be Danny Whalen, co-chair, president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities and councillor, Temiskaming Shores; and Wendy Landry, co-chair, president of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and mayor of Shuniah.

“I am honoured to be included and co-lead the Northern Task Force and look forward to collaborating with government and other representatives as we work to improve the safety of our highways,” said Landry.