Expansion of highway will improve highway safety, enhance east-west trade and create jobs
 
KENORA, ONTARIO – Workers, families and businesses throughout Northwest Ontario will benefit from a major expansion of Highway 17 thanks to a joint investment by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
 
In his introductory remarks Greg Rickford stated, “This Prime Minister has shown us again and again that he cares deeply about the future of Northern Ontario. He has graciously visited our area three times in the last year and a half.”
 
“We are thrilled to have Greg with us in Ottawa,” responded Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “He has done an outstanding job of raising priority issues for this riding.”
 
Several distinguished guests from all levels of government were in attendance in Kenora yesterday. Federal representatives included Prime Minister Stephen Harper, President of the Treasury Board, Vic Toews, and local MP Greg Rickford. Premier Dalton McGuinty, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Michael Gravelle, and local MPP, Howard Hampton, represented the Province of Ontario. Several local mayors were on hand as well, including Kenora Mayor, Len Compton, Dryden Mayor, Anne Krassilowsky, Red Lake Mayor, Phil Vinet and Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls Mayor, Bill Thompson.
 
“Northwest Ontario has a tremendous future as a corridor for increased travel and trade between eastern and western Canada,” continued Prime Minister Stephen Harper. “This investment will improve highway safety, create short-term jobs, and help local businesses take advantage of new economic opportunities.  By making this investment today, we are helping the people of Northwestern Ontario seize the better jobs of tomorrow.”
 
The new highway expansion will result in the twinning of 10 km of Highway 17 starting at the Ontario-Manitoba border and stretching eastward.  It represents the first stage of a planned 40-km highway expansion that will eventually extend to Kenora, ON.
 
Highway 17 is part of the Trans-Canada Highway System and is the only major route for Trans-Canada traffic in Northwestern Ontario.  Average annual traffic exceeds 4000 vehicles per day, with summer peaks as high as 7000 vehicles.  We are taking action now to enhance safety, create jobs and protect the local economy from the impact of highway closures.
 
Expanding Highway 17 to four lanes is one of many job-creating investments contained in the Harper Government’s Economic Action Plan.