Draft Northern Ontario Transportation Plan

MTO reviewed all feedback received during the comment period and will consider it in future updates to Connecting the North, including to refine future updates to the long-term vision and goals, and inform actions and initiatives going forward. Feedback received through this process will also be used to inform current and future transportation and planning initiatives in the region.

Key themes from the comments received include:

• Support for expanded passenger rail services in both Northeastern and Northwestern Ontario;
• Concern for road safety, specifically on two-lane highways and during winter conditions;
• Support for providing alternatives to driving (e.g., local transit and active transportation infrastructure), particularly to ensure affordability and provide access to people without regular access to a personal vehicle; and
• Concern for environmental and climate change impacts of the transportation system.

MTO has considered the comments and is currently undertaking several actions identified in the draft plan where this feedback has and will continue to be used to inform the Ministry’s work, including:

Supporting local transit through programs such as the Community Transportation Grant Program

In June 2021, the Ministry announced a $14 million, two-year extension to the Community Transportation Grant Program, bringing the total investment to up to $44 million for 38 municipalities to carry out 43 projects over seven years (2018-2025). This includes an additional investment of up to $1.7 million over two years (2023-2025) to nine municipalities in Northern Ontario to fully establish their transportation services as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and build transportation services up to a sustainable level.

Action 3 - Move forward with the widening of Highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba border

The ministry recently signed two contracts with Indigenous partners for early works to produce the raw materials needed to build the road base and for clearing work, including tree and brush removal, within the new right of way for the first section of the Highway 17 twinning. The ministry is finalizing design work and planning the start of construction for Section 1 (Contract 1) of the project. Ministry staff continue to work with First Nation communities to determine details regarding their participation in the construction phase of the project. 

Action 2 – Advance design work for the widening of Highway 69

The ministry continues to work on widening the 152 km section of Highway 69 to four lanes between Parry Sound and Sudbury. Seventy (70) kilometres of Highway 69 have already been widened to four lanes, 14 kilometres is in construction and the ministry is working to complete the remaining 68 kilometres. The additional sections are in the engineering and property acquisition phases as ministry staff work with First Nation communities to negotiate land acquisition and work through federal environmental approvals. Widening of the 14-kilometre section of Highway 69 south of Alban, and the realignment of the Canadian National Rail line at Highway 522 continues and is expected to be completed in 2022.

Action 10 – Establish the Northern Ontario Transportation Task Force

Ontario announced the launch of the Northern Ontario Transportation Task Force on January 21, 2022, delivering on its commitment from Action 10 of the Connecting the North: A Draft Transportation Plan for Northern Ontario. The Task Force includes mayors, Indigenous leaders, and transportation service providers from across Northern Ontario, and will examine ways to make it easier for people and goods to travel, while boosting economic growth in the North.

Action 17 – Work with Metrolinx and the ONTC to finalize an initial business case for passenger rail service in Northeastern Ontario

In Fall 2020, the Province conducted a public engagement survey to understand the needs and opportunities along the rail corridor as well as to gauge interest in the re-introduction of passenger rail service. Opportunities for northeastern passenger rail service were explored in an Initial Business Case (IBC) that was published on May 25, 2021. An Updated Business Case is currently under development which will assess the feasibility of a service between Toronto (Union Station) and Timmins.

Action 26 – Work with transportation industry partners to address human trafficking

Ontario is improving safety and combating human trafficking through public awareness campaigns at provincial transportation facilities and by training front-line employees to increase recognition and reporting of suspicious activities to authorities. Additional initiatives include upgrading infrastructure at facilities operated by the Ministry of Transportation, safety improvements to transportation hubs and rest areas, where feasible, such as improved lighting, visibility, and security cameras, and working closely with agencies and industry organizations in the transportation sector to encourage initiatives that combat human trafficking.