NORTH BAY, Ont. - The opposition parties are raising fresh concerns over winter maintenance work on northern highways.
A Progressive Conservative is joining the NDP in calling for answers about new government contracts that they say may be compromising safety on the roads.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says a coroner's inquest is needed into the deaths of 10 people in highway collisions in late December and early January.
New Democrat Gilles Bisson raised the issue of road safety in early December, saying the cash-strapped Liberals are trying to save money by reducing the number of plows on the road.
Bisson says the government changed the terms of its plowing contracts, which means there's 25 per cent less equipment being used to clear highways.
He also says the governing Liberals are jeopardizing road safety by lowering the maintenance standards in their winter contracts.
Fedeli is asking the ministry to release any findings of its review into winter maintenance in the North Bay area including details on penalties, if any.
He says that's the single largest issue his office has received complaints on since being elected three months ago.
Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli wasn't immediately available for comment, but has promised to look into the complaint.
