Northern Ontario multimodal transportation strategy discussion paper: Towards a Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy

A total of 92 comments were received during the comment period; including 18 non-governmental organizations, 9 municipalities, 5 from either a First Nation community, organization or Council, 1 Member of Provincial Parliament, 1 Federal Government Department, and 58 members of the public.

All submitted comments were carefully considered, with many of the suggestions and recommendations being incorporated into and informing the development of the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy, and will inform the final government decision on the strategy and action plan.

Comments were wide-ranging and generally supportive of the Strategy.

Below is a summary of the main themes heard during the engagement period.

Comment

• Reinstate passenger rail services and increase the availability of intercommunity bus services, to enhance connections between urban centres, and provide more environmentally friendly travel options in the region.

Response

• In addition to the Discussion Paper being released during Phase 2 of NOMTS, a technical backgrounder on intercommunity passenger transportation was developed and released in November 2016.
• The technical report describes intercommunity passenger services in northern Ontario including service and ridership provision and trends, outlooks, issues and opportunities.
• The technical analysis conducted during Phase 2, as well as feedback received through the engagement on the Discussion Paper, influenced the directions outlined in the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy that was released in July 2017. The Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy built on the strategic directions of the Discussion Paper, and included directions to:
  • Establish a network of core intercommunity passenger bus services across northern Ontario to connect major centres, improve community transportation services; and
  • Reinvigorate passenger rail services, where appropriate.

Comment

• There is a need for enhanced real-time information, signage, and cellular coverage along the highway network in northern Ontario.

Response

• Also developed during Phase 2 of NOMTS, the Highways and Roads Technical Backgrounder included an analysis of the real-time traveller information systems, gaps in cell-phone coverage in northern Ontario along the highway network, as well as an overview of the challenges that this can cost for motorists.
• Based on this technical work, and engagement held on the Discussion Paper, the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy included a direction and actions to improve trip-planning and real- travel information for road users, as well as expanding cellular service across the transportation network in northern Ontario.

Comment

• Highway infrastructure and maintenance improvements, such as additional passing lanes, 4-lanning and or twinning, are required to address redundancy and resiliency of the highway network. Ensure the impact on species at risk and habitat needs are considered as part of the evaluation for all road projects.

Response

• During Phase 2 of NOMTS work, an analysis of current traffic levels, including historic trends and anticipated future traffic levels, and reliability and resiliency of the northern Ontario highway network was completed and described in the Highways and Roads Technical Backgrounder. Within this document, technical work was completed to identify potential priority locations for four-laning, twining, and areas for highway capacity improvements.
• As a result of the technical work completed, and comments received during the outreach period, the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy included directions and actions to improve the reliability of the Trans-Canada Highway and increase highway capacity to support efficient goods movement and passenger travel.

Comment

• There were numerous comments with concerns over the impacts of climate change and warming temperatures on winter roads. Participants stated that with increased interest in all-season road development to remote communities, planning should be collaboratively with First Nation communities, and the number of corridors for all-season road development should be minimalized.

Response

• NOMTS had included an examination of Ontario’s winter roads, including road characteristics, jurisdiction and policies, use of winter roads, construction and maintenance guidelines, and issues and opportunities.
• Based on this previous technical work and engagement with First Nation communities and partner ministries, the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy included directions to enhance the quality of winter roads and lengthen their operating season, as well as collaboratively pursing the expansion of the all-season road network with interested First Nation communities.

Below is a brief overview of other main comments received during the engagement period:

• Address the challenges and barriers for establishing marine tourism cruise shipping on the Great Lakes;
• There is a significant need for safe, maintained and modern rest facilities that are open year-round;
• Improve the funding mechanism for winter road maintenance and development;
• Develop a network of rechargeable stations for electric vehicles;
• Increase the usage of freight shipped by rail rather than commercial vehicles to support GHG reduction initiatives;
• Enhance the operation and sustainability of remote airports and winter roads; and
• Greater attention needs to be provided to northern Ontario industries and economic development opportunities for communities and Indigenous communities.

The feedback received from this round of engagement informed the development of the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy and will also inform the final government decision on the strategy and action plan.

Released on July 12, 2017, the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy was developed to guide transportation policy, program and investment opportunities for a modern and sustainable transportation system in northern Ontario.