TORONTO — Three Ontario New Democrats have set off on a road trip from Toronto to the Manitoba border and back to highlight the dangers of northern roads.

Northern legislators John Vanthof, Guy Bourgouin and Sol Mamakwa say the time has come for Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative government to take action to save lives.

Highways 17 and 11 are the two main routes across northern Ontario, most of which is served by two-lane highways.

The politicians say Ford has not done enough to address dangerous conditions on the highways.

The Northern Policy Institute’s data shows drivers are three times more likely to die on roads in northern Ontario compared to southern Ontario.

Ministry of Transportation data also shows there were 363 road closures on Highway 11 in 2024 and 886 closures on Highway 17 in 2023.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 3, 2026.

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press