Northern mayors take their highway four-laning case to Ottawa

Municipal groups seek federal funding to twin Trans-Canada Highway in Northern Ontario

Municipal advocacy groups from Northern Ontario were making the rounds in Ottawa last week, bending ears to make their case about four-laning the Trans-Canada Highway through this region.

With the province now in their corner, they were able to secure some face time with the federal transport minister and even the prime minister.

Federal Transport Minister Steve MacKinnon huddled with leaders from the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) on June 2 to hear their presentation for funding to modernize Highways 11 and 17.

On the agenda for the meeting with MacKinnon was highway twinning, targeted safety improvements, climate resiliency, and transportation reliability. The mayors contend that these major northern highways are nationally significant for the movement of goods, services, and people.

The previous day, Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas, president of NOMA, was able to make his elevator pitch with Prime Minister Mark Carney at an event.

Dumas presented Carney with a Hill Days delegation book from last December outlining key regional priorities that also included bail reform, labour immigration and workforce development, natural resource development, and the importance of collaboration between all three levels of government.

“(Tuesday’s) meeting was another important step forward in ensuring Northern Ontario’s transportation infrastructure remains part of the national conversation,” said Dumas in a statement.

“There was strong recognition around the table that Highways 11 and 17 are not simply Northern highways — they are nationally significant trade, supply chain, and community lifelines that connect Canada from coast to coast.”

The tide has turned in favour of the mayors in recent months, with support for highway twinning coming from the provincial government. Queen’s Park is now looking for federal buy-in as well.

“Northern municipalities continue to advocate for meaningful investments that improve safety, strengthen economic competitiveness, and ensure our communities remain connected year-round,” said FONOM president Dave Plourde, the mayor of Kapuskasing.

“Reliable transportation infrastructure is essential for the economic success, safety, and long-term sustainability of rural and Northern communities across Ontario,” said ROMA Chair Christa Lowry.

“(Tuesday’s) meeting demonstrated the importance of all levels of government and municipal partners continuing to work together to advance practical and meaningful improvements to these nationally significant corridors.”

The groups say these discussions are meaningful to keep the momentum going to build a modern highway system that better connects communities, protects travellers, and supports long-term economic growth.