Ontario PC candidates Graydon Smith (Parry Sound-Muskoka) and Prabmeet Sarkaria (Brampton South) were in Seguin Township to announce that a re-elected PC government would accelerate infrastructure investments in Northern Ontario – including working with First Nations communities to widen Highway 69 from two to four lanes from Parry Sound to Sudbury.
“We’re making record investments to make Northern Ontario roads safer and help keep workers on the job in the face of President Trump’s tariff threats,” said Sarkaria. “From bringing back the Northlander to expanding roads and highways, we’re doing what it takes to make Northern Ontario more connected and more prosperous.”
Earlier this week, the Ontario NDP laid out its plan to improve highway safety. It includes widening Highways 11, 17, and 69 while building the Cochrane Bypass, ending private highway maintenance contracts, and making sure truck drivers are properly trained for Northern Road conditions.
The NDP has been endorsed by the advocacy group Truckers For Safer Highways. Co-founder Travis McDougal told 705BLACKFLY.COM that while widening Highway 69 is a step in the right direction, issues like training and enforcement have to be scrutinized. He’s also concerned that highways will become even more dangerous if Ottawa diverts resources to accommodate U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands for more secure borders.
“Driving on our highways is not safe anymore,” Travis said. “And we have a minister of transportation that goes in the House of Commons and says that Ontario has some of the safest highways in North America. It’s an absolute insult to those of us who are on the ground out here.”
Also at today’s announcement, Smith and Sarkaria stated that the long-awaited return of the Northlander passenger train will happen in 2026, nearly 15 years after it was shut down by the previous Liberal government. The route identifies 16 stops including Toronto (Union Station), Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake (Swastika), Matheson, Timmins, and Cochrane.
Smith also announced the $530 million purchase of six new waterbombers to combat wildfires in Ontario. The aircrafts recently made headlines around the world after Canada deployed multiple waterbombers to fight the devastating wildfires in southern California.
“While the previous Liberal government abandoned Northern Ontario, our PC government has made record investments to make rural and Northern communities safer and more prosperous,” said Smith. “By expanding our provincial fleet of waterbombers, we’re protecting homes and businesses and supporting growth throughout Northern Ontario.”
Election day in Ontario is February 27th. For information on how you can vote head to the Elections Ontario website.
Watch our video for an in-depth look at today’s announcement.
