The NDP MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane has demanded in the legislature that the Conservative government take back Municipal Rd.
It’s the former Hwy. 67 that connects Hwys. 11 and 101. It was downloaded to Timmins and Iroquois Falls by the Harris government. John Vanthof noted that it’s in bad need of repair, and Iroquois Falls can’t afford its share without a massive tax increase.
Treasurer Peter Bethlenfalvy replied that the government is adding $100-million to a $500-million fund for 320 small, northern and rural communities. Vanthof scoffed at that.
“It costs almost half a million dollars on average to replace a kilometre of two-lane highway in this province,” he said. “That doesn’t even do half a kilometre on 67.”
The MPP added that the province should do what it did for Toronto, taking back the Gardiner Expressway and the Don Valley Parkway.
“You claim that there are no tax increases under the Conservative government. What you’re now doing is downloading the tax increases to the municipalities. That’s what you’re doing. Take back these highways. Thank you.”
