‘No family should pay that cost’: Northern Ont. family pushes for stiffer dangerous driving penalties

A northern Ontario family is pushing for stiffer penalties for dangerous driving after Jim Bolger was killed while being pulled over on Highway 101.

A northern Ontario family with ties to Timmins and Iroquois Falls is hoping an online petition will help bring about stiffer penalties for people who cause death by driving dangerously.

Jim Bolger, 69, passed away as a result of a motor vehicle collision on Sept. 29, 2025. He had pulled over on the side of Highway 101 East in Porcupine near Conley Street and was struck by another vehicle.

The driver accused of hitting Jim’s case is currently before the courts.

“It’s a big mistake and it does cost family, families, lives and, you know, no family should have to pay for that,” said Rebekkah Bolger, Jim’s daughter.

Rebekkah, her sister Elizabeth and the rest of her family say they are now trying to fight through grief by working with Kapuskasing—Timmins—Mushkegowuk MP Gaétan Malette. Malette is sponsoring an online petition, e-7150, which has amassed more than 760 signatures since it launched on March 9.

The petition calls for the Government of Canada to conduct a comprehensive review of offences where death or serious bodily harm was caused by dangerous driving and calls for tougher sentences, suspensions, bans and education.

“Then the petition will be presented by me to the Clerk of Petitions, in the House of Commons and then it will be tabled – first it will be validated, then it will be tabled,” said Malette.

“It doesn’t matter what your political affiliation is, whether you’re conservative, you don’t vote, you’re liberal, NDP,” said Elizabeth.

“You can easily be killed by a dangerous or reckless driver so that’s why we all need to unite under this and get justice for future families. If justice might not be able to be served for my dad, but for other families, people need to go to jail if they kill or take someone’s life.”

The petition will close on June 7. The family is also lobbying for lines to be painted on the road and for a highway digital speed sign to be installed in the area where their father was hit.