Northern MPPs want more done to make roads safe

Ontario is introducing standardized, mandatory entry-level training for commercial truck drivers, including more than 103 hours before a Class A licence.

Northern MPPs responded to the province’s announcement Monday on new training requirements for commercial truck drivers, saying the changes don’t go far enough.

NDP MPPs Guy Bourgouin (Mushkegowuk – James Bay), John Vanthof (Timiskaming – Cochrane) and Lise Vaugeois (Thunder Bay – Superior North) said in a news release Sept. 22 that they want greater accountability in driver testing and certification.

“These tests should be administered directly by the MTO, not outsourced to third-party providers,” Bourgouin said.

“We cannot talk about driver safety without talking about road safety,” said Vanthof.

“A well-trained driver is still at risk when highways and winter roads are poorly maintained.”

“Mandatory training of 103 hours has been in place since 2017, so mandatory training itself is not new and the the number of hours have not increased,” said Vaugeois.

“Ontarians deserve to know that commercial drivers are properly trained and that those who break the rules face real consequences.”