Bill 49 Original (PDF)
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Bill amends the Highway Traffic Act and the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act.
The Bill adds section 5.5 to the Highway Traffic Act. Subsection 5.5 (1) provides that the Minister of Transportation shall ensure scales and inspection sites along the portion of Highway 11 that is north of North Bay and along Highway 17 are staffed daily for a minimum of 12 hours. Subsection 5.5 (2) provides that the Government of Ontario shall ensure traffic enforcement by the Ontario Provincial Police is sufficiently staffed to ensure enforcement of the Act. The Bill also adds subsection 58.1 (6.1) to the Act. Commercial truck drivers must now be tested by an examiner certified by the Ministry of Transportation before being licensed.
The Bill adds section 96 to the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act. This section provides that winter maintenance operations for the portion of Highway 11 that is north of North Bay and for Highway 17 shall be managed by the Ministry of Transportation.
Bill 49 2025
An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act and Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act with respect to northern highway safety
His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:
1 Part 1 of the Highway Traffic Act is amended by adding the following section:
Staffing – scales and inspection sites
5.5 (1) The Minister shall ensure scales and inspection sites along the portion of Highway 11 that is north of North Bay and along Highway 17 are staffed daily for a minimum of 12 hours.
Staffing – traffic enforcement
(2) The Government of Ontario shall ensure traffic enforcement by the Ontario Provincial Police is sufficiently staffed to ensure enforcement of this Act.
2 Section 58.1 of the Act is amended by adding the following subsection:
Driver education certificate – commercial truck drivers
(6.1) Despite subsection (6), in order for a commercial truck driver education certificate prescribed under a regulation made under this section to be issued,
(a) the driver must be tested by an examiner certified by the Ministry in accordance with the regulations and the examiner must indicate the driver should be certified; and
(b) the Ministry must issue the certificate in accordance with the regulations.
3 Part XVI of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act is amended by adding the following section:
Management – winter northern highway maintenance
96 (1) This section applies to the following:
1. The portion of Highway 11 that is north of North Bay.
2. Highway 17.
Same
(2) Winter maintenance operations for a highway or portion of a highway to which this section applies shall be managed by the Ministry.
Same
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the Ministry may work with contractors and providers.
Commencement
4 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.
Short title
5 The short title of this Act is the Northern Highway 11 and 17 Safety Act, 2025.