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Provincial Police promoting safe boating practices this long weekend

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It is the start of a busy year on the waters for the Ontario Provincial Police.

Their marine units will be out in force this May long weekend.

Lifejacket use will be one of the things they will closely monitor.

OPP says 83 percent of all marine-related deaths in the past decade have been connected to a lifejacket not being worn or not worn properly.

Two hundred and forty-nine people have died between 2016 and 2026.

More than one hundred people were using various human-powered watercraft, including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

Impairment by alcohol or drugs, operator inexperience, poor weather, and hazardous waterways have also contributed to some of the fatalities.

Police say officers will also be patrolling to ensure other provincial and federal laws are being followed.

Blocked traffic on highway

Northern Ontario road safety measures, nothing new to Thunder Bay-area MPP

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A northwestern Ontario MPP says a recent announcement to improve road safety in northern Ontario is a re-announcement.

The province is promising to hire more Ministry of Transportation inspectors and accelerate plans to four-lane Highway 11-17 between Thunder Bay and Shabaqua.

It includes the hiring of more Ministry of Transportation inspection officers and electronic road signs.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois says it sounds good, but they are really measures the government has promised before.

“These are re-announcements, so it’s not actually anything new, but it does show that they’re feeling the heat,” says Vaugeois.

There was no mention of staffing for an inspection station in Shuniah.

Vaugeois says there may be some action taking place.

” I heard… that 21 people are in the pipeline being trained for Shuniah. I’m hoping that they are coming from the region because the MTO has had a habit of sending people up from southern Ontario, and they get some training, and then they leave.”

The government’s announcement also offers no mention of plans to improve truck driver training.

Vaugeois says it is something the industry is looking for.

“I’ve met with many of the drivers; they want that training,” says Vaugeois.

“They want the industry regulated. They want to know that they’re safe on the highways.”

The NDP has put forward a separate private member’s bill addressing training.

It is before Queen’s Park, awaiting second reading.

Transport accident - OPP January 2023

First Nation leaders express need for improved highway safety

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The Chiefs of Ontario is the latest organization to voice concern about the number of fatal collisions this year on northern Ontario highways.

It says both the federal and provincial governments need to take action.

Regional Chief Abram Benedict says Northern First Nations have been uniquely impacted by many of this year’s fatalities.

“These tragedies are devastating for our families and our Nations,” states Benedict in a release.

“Our people rely on northern highways as lifelines for health care, education, work and supplies. When those roads are unsafe, it is our communities who pay the price.”

The Chiefs of Ontario references a recent collision on Highway 11, west of Hearst, where three Indigenous people were killed.

Benedict says the collision is part of a worrying trend.

The Chiefs support provincial NDP demands for stronger oversight and enforcement of commercial transports and improved highway infrastructure and winter maintenance.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the government needs to get serious about improving safety.

“Their blatant disregard for the dangerous conditions that people are experiencing cannot continue, or more lives will be lost,” states Fiddler.”

Traffic lights June 2025 (2)

Road safety funding program requested from provincial government

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A new road safety program is being proposed to the provincial government.

Ontario Good Roads is requesting a five-year program to support small and rural municipalities in covering the costs of implementing safety measures.

Speaking to a legislative committee holding pre-budget consultations in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, President Cheryl Fort says things like better signage, lighting and rumble strips can make a difference.

Cheryl Fort, President of Ontario Good Roads, speaks at the pre-budget hearing in Thunder Bay, January 28, 2026. Queen’s Park screen shot

“And after the five years, we figure that we will have done enough proactive work to minimize it into the future,” says Fort.

Fort sees cost savings for the province and municipalities in working to reduce collisions.

She says the program could achieve $ 651 million in reduced costs for things such as vehicle repairs, insurance costs, healthcare, and lost time resulting from collisions.

“We have less in collisions. We have less responses that we have to respond to,” says Fort.

“If we have no collision, we don’t have to respond. And that’s what we’re saying with the rural roads is that by putting the signage, putting in these easy measurable fixes, we can reduce the strain on health care.”

Fort says some municipalities are already taking the initiative to fund safety measures.

She says the installation of a flashing light in one community stopped fatal collisions from happening in an intersection.

OPP MTO inspection Oct 2024 - OPP photo adjusted

NDP continues to push for northern highway improvements

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The provincial NDP continues to lobby for measures that improve road safety in northern Ontario.

A Private Member’s Bill was voted down at Queen’s Park earlier this year.

MPPs informed the legislature on Thursday that highways in northwestern Ontario have been shut down more than 550 times this year.

Many of the closures have been related to collisions involving transports.

Timiskaming MPP John Vathof dismisses the government’s explanation.

“The minister yesterday said that’s because the police closed them, the OPP closed them,” says Vanthof.

“The OPP doesn’t just close them for fun. They close them because of accidents, because of people getting run off the roads by badly-trained cross-country truck drivers.”

The Private Member’s Bill had proposed increased enforcement by Ministry of Transportation inspectors and that truck inspection stations stay open longer.

Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois says an inspection station near Thunder Bay is rarely open.

“The Minister of Transportation has said that inspection stations should be staffed 24/7. Yet our brand new $30 million inspection station in Shuniah is almost never open,” says Vaugeois.

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sakaria says they have more than doubled the number of MTO enforcement officers working in the north from 19 to 50.

He adds they conducted over 90,000 inspections since January, a 35% increase over last year.

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Ontario electrical authority warning against unlicensed work

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An organization responsible for promoting electrical safety in Ontario is highlighting an alarming new trend.

According to a new Leger survey commissioned by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA), nearly 40 percent of Ontario homeowners have not confirmed if the proper permits were obtained before electrical upgrades were completed in their home.

According to the ESA, the oversight is particularly concerning.

“If you’re not checking for permits, there’s a good chance that a permit hasn’t been taken out,” says Emily Larose, the organization’s vice president of regulatory and general counsel. “You may not be using a licensed electrical contractor, which is a really risky thing for you to do.”

According to the ESA, taking short cuts on licensed electrical contractors with the proper permits often leads to shocks, fires or even fatalities and can result in costly repairs.

The organization says unlicensed electrical work is also four times more likely to have safety issues than work done by a licensed electrical contractor.

“If you’re contemplating a project or in the midst of a project then ask your contractor to give you proof that they’ve taken out a permit,” says Larose, adding the survey showed 11 per cent didn’t even know how to go about checking permits. “And when the work is completed, ask for the certificate of acceptance.”

She adds that if work had already been completed on a home, people can contact ESA and request details on previous permits to see if work was licensed or not.

One of the reasons for the high number of homeowners doing renovations (with or without proper permits) is the cost of housing prices and the uneven real estate market.

In fact, the Leger survey noted that 27 per cent of Ontario homeowners intend to renovate their current home, suggesting nearly a quarter of respondents are choosing to renovate over moving into new homes

“I’ve done a big renovation on my home (and) I know there’s a paralysis of decision-making and that it’s really expensive,” says Larose. “It’s really important in all of those decisions you’re making sure that you hire the right people.”

The ESA is a not-for-profit organization in Ontario responsible for promoting and enforcing electrical safety regulations to protect the public.

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Group Issues Winter Driving Safety Tips

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Driving in northwestern Ontario can present some challenges with changing weather conditions, blowing snow and reduced cell service.
The Canada Safety Council is out with some tips to keep us safe this winter.
Manager of National Projects Lewis Smith says you should now have snow tires on your vehicle.
“Good winter tires can reduce your braking distances by as much as twenty-five percent. [With] the need to stop suddenly, winter tires offer that extra traction, that extra grip, on hard packed snow and on icy surfaces that all-season tires just don’t provide,” he says.
Winter tires should be installed when the weather drops below seven degrees Celsius.
According to a 2020 study done for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, 65% of Canadian drivers are using winter tires.
Smith says before leaving your home you should ensure your car is winterized and ready for the season.
Smith recommends making sure you don’t leave your home empty-handed. He says your vehicle should have an emergency kit with water and non-perishable food in case you get stuck and have to wait for someone to find you.
” flashlight is always a good idea to make sure that you are visible even in dark times. A blanket and some warm clothes can always be a good idea to help conserve that body heat in case you are stranded out there,” he points out.
Smith says you should also have a fully-charged battery, full windshield washer fluid, a functional heater and defroster, jumper cables, a shovel, traction mats or sand, candles and a book of matches or a lighter.
Your wipers should withstand ice and snow without leaving large streaks.
The Council is also urging motorists to adjust your driving habits when the snow hits.
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Dryden Police: School Safety Tips

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After a six month shutdown elementary schools finally reopen to students across the region Thursday.

That brings the usual back-to-school tips from the Dryden Police Service.

Constable Allin Marcino stresses it’s important for drivers to slow down, be patient and give yourself more time going to and from work.

He adds “If people are driving and come upon a crossing guard who has their stop sign out. Come to a complete stop and please be patient. Wait for the crossing guard to exit the cross walk before proceeding.”

Other tips for motorists from DPS:

-Observe Speed Zones: Children crossing the road on their way to and from school can easily get distracted and step into harm’s way. Slowing down and being vigilant is crucial to keeping kids safe. Children are often out throughout the day at recess, lunch and for certain classes, so it is important to drive slowly through the day.

A reminder that Parkdale Avenue between Colonization Avenue and the west entrance to Park Crescent, a reduced speed limit of 40-kilometres an hour within that zone will be enforced between 8:00am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Marcino also offers some safety tips to kids.

“Stay on the main sidewalks. Use the same route each day. Not using any shortcuts. When crossing the streets, cross at the cross walks and intersections, look both ways when crossing. We never really want to see kids crossing in between obstacles such as parked cars.”

Marcino adds “Children are riding their bikes to and from school. So another thing that we want to remind parents is to make sure that their kids are wearing helmets and that they know the proper hand signals and that they obey the rules of the road.”

If you’re riding a school bus Marcino states “Make sure they know to stay off the street while they are waiting for the bus. Not to get on or off the bus until it comes to a complete stop. And also while riding on the school bus, we want to make sure your child understands that they must remain seated at all times while the bus is in motion.”

For driver a reminder it’s illegal to pass a school bus when their signal lights are flashing.

(Picture: DPS Facebook)

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Safety Measures Strengthened Around St. Joseph’s School

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The City of Dryden has taken steps to improve safety around St. Joseph’s School.

Acting Clerk Allyson Euler says a speed limit of 40 kilometres an hour is now in effect along a large section of Parkdale Road.

The speed zone is from Colonization Avenue to 97.5 metres west of the west leg of Park Crescent.

Euler says the restrictions will be in place from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday from September 1st to June 30 each year when signals are flashing.

No Parking zones are also being extended or added in the area.

They include:

1. The current No Parking area on the east side of Evergreen Place from Parkdale Road to 95 metres north of Parkdale Road will become a No Stopping area.
2. The current School Bus Loading Zone on the west side of Evergreen Place from 7.5 metres north of the north property line of Parkdale Road to 100 metres north of that line will become a No Parking area.
3. A No Stopping area will be created on the north side of Parkdale Road from the intersection of Evergreen Place to 35 metres east of Evergreen Place.
4. Vehicles travelling southbound on Evergreen Place will be prohibited from turning left onto Parkdale Road.

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Hajdu: Canada Taking Careful Approach To Vaccine

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The race is on to find a vaccine for COVID-19.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu shares with Acadia Broadcasting’s John Ongaro they are taking a careful approach.

“We will never compromise the safety of Canadians health for speed. There is no value in that. Just to say you got there first, doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. Of course, the world wants a vaccine but it has to be one that is safe and trustworthy,” Hajdu says.

The health minister stresses there is no point in getting a vaccine that doesn’t reach its intended goal of providing immunity against the virus.

Health Canada recently authorized the drug remdesivir for some COVID-19 patients.

“It is useful in a very specific time frame for people who are ill with coronavirus, it helps reduce inflammation and it is not for every particular case of coronavirus but it is helpful,” Hajdu says.

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