The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities is pleased with recent transportation safety and improvements in northern Ontario. “The commitment to a working group to determine suitable locations and criteria for a 2 + 1 model pilot project comes as welcome news to municipalities across the North, ” says FONOM President Danny Whalen. “we want to ensure that any Northern Provincial Transportations Strategy is not to only take people and resources out of the North” as well as seeking clarity from the Province on the challenge the Province is experiencing with Homelessness, Mental Health & Addictions.
Municipalities across the North have provided resolutions supporting the proposed project and see it as a financially feasible way to create safer and more efficient travel.
Mark Wilson was the lead for “Going the Extra Mile for Safety (GEMS),” a committee of the Temiskaming Shores and Area Chamber of Commerce. Mark has been named to the Provincial working group. He brings a wealth of knowledge, having studied the model for years and has traveled to Sweden and Ireland to see the construction and maintenance in both winter and summer seasons.
Wilson also presented the concept during presentations to the annual conferences of the Ontario Good Roads Association and FONOM. Both presentations generated significant interest and support for the 2+1 model, which has significantly reduced fatalities and severe injuries in many countries worldwide.
FONOM greatly appreciates the involvement in discussions by Minister Caroline Mulroney and the interest and guidance provided to GEMS by ministry staff. “Safe and efficient travel is vital to growing the North” said Whalen, “and having the provincial government as a partner in new ideas is a direct benefit to northern communities.”
FONOM is an association of some 110 districts/municipalities/cities/towns in northeastern Ontario mandated to work for the betterment of municipal government in Northern Ontario and to strive for improved legislation respecting local government in the north. It is a membership-based association that draws its members from northeastern Ontario and is governed by an 11-member board.