The Chiefs of Ontario is demanding immediate government action to improve safety along northern highways following a string of fatal collisions — including a January crash that claimed the lives of three First Nations members.
Ontario Provincial Police confirmed that Darrel Taylor, 57, of Constance Lake First Nation, his sister Reanne Wesley, 36, and her partner Aaron Paypompee, 36, from Kenora, died in a crash on Highway 11 west of Hearst on Jan. 31. Paypompee was a member of Naotkamegwanning First Nation.
OPP said officers were notified of the crash between a transport truck and an SUV on Highway 11 near Highway 631 at about 6 p.m. that Saturday. All three occupants of the passenger vehicle were pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The highway was closed in both directions for approximately 22 hours as technical collision investigators and a reconstructionist attended the scene.
OPP have not released information about who was driving the vehicles or if any charges are pending.
Growing concern over northern route safety
First Nation leaders said the Jan. 31 crash is part of a worrying trend, with five serious transport-related incidents occurring in the region within a five-day period.
The Chiefs of Ontario is now urging federal and provincial governments to strengthen oversight and enforcement of commercial transport vehicles, improve highway infrastructure and winter maintenance and work directly with First Nation leadership to develop solutions that reflect the realities of northern travel.
“These tragedies are devastating for our families and our Nations,” said Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict in a news release.
“Our people rely on northern highways as lifelines for health care, education, work and supplies.”
The Chiefs said that northern First Nations are uniquely impacted by highway conditions, as many communities rely on a limited number of major transportation routes and seasonal winter roads to access essential services and urban centres.
“When those roads are unsafe, it is our communities who pay the price.”
— Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict
Call for immediate action
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler expressed frustration with what he described as governmental inaction on the file.
“The government needs to take serious action on improving the safety of highways in northern Ontario,” Fiddler said.
“Their blatant disregard for the dangerous conditions that people are experiencing cannot continue, or more lives will be lost.”
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