A proposed bill to improve safety on Highways 11 and 17 was defeated this week in provincial legislature, which has one northern MPP calling the defeat “political.”

On Monday, Bill 49 — Northern Highway 11 and 17 Safety Act — was tabled by Mushkegowuk-James Bay NDP MPP Guy Bourgouin, with co-sponsorship from Timiskaming-Cochrane NDP MPP John Vanthof, as well as Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois.

He first spoke about this bill at a press conference in June.

The bill asked for a number of provisions including that all commercial truck drivers be tested by a certified examiner from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in accordance with regulations. Also, that the MTO ensures that all scales and inspection sites along Highway 11 north of North Bay and along Highway 17 are opened

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