Northern Ontario rallies set for Jan. 24, 2026: “Safer highways now”

Residents across Northern Ontario will rally on Saturday, January 24, 2026 (10:00 a.m.) to demand safer highways, stronger infrastructure, and improved winter maintenance, as concerns mount over conditions on key corridors like Highways 11 and 17.

The call to action, promoted around Guy Bourgouin (MPP, Mushkegowuk—James Bay), argues that decades of underinvestment have contributed to recurring closures, unsafe driving conditions, and growing frustration in communities that rely on these routes for health care access, family travel, and shipping goods tied to mining and forestry.

What organizers say must change

Organizers point to single-lane stretches with no shoulders, inadequate winter maintenance, concerns about fraudulent training/licensing, and insufficient enforcement capacity around truck inspection sites.

In Smooth Rock Falls, the town confirms a peaceful rally 10 a.m. to noon at the Moose Motel, warning that unsafe conditions and prolonged closures can isolate communities, delay emergency response, and disrupt supply chains.

Legislation referenced: Bills 49 and 79

Northern NDP MPPs also reference two private members’ bills they say would improve safety:

• Bill 49 (Northern Highway 11 and 17 Safety Act, 2025) — addressing winter maintenance oversight and staffing concerns at scales/inspection sites.

• Bill 79 (Chad’s Law) — prohibiting passing on double solid yellow lines.

Organizers argue the Doug Ford government and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkariahave not shown sufficient urgency, as deadly and serious crashes remain a persistent fear in the North.

On the Road watching closely

Meanwhile, On the Road Québec, On the Road Trucking, and Camionneuses Québec say they are monitoring the situation closely and working to better understand the perceived inaction of Ontario government authorities, as community pressure grows for concrete measures and accountability.

Confirmed rally locations (Jan. 24, 2026 — 10:00 AM)

Kapuskasing, Hearst, Smooth Rock Falls, Fauquier-Strickland, Cochrane, Temiskaming Shores (additional communities: locations to be confirmed).