Moose FM CHPB 98.1 - Cochrane

MPP for Timmins James Bay Gilles Bisson stood in the legislature this week and talked about privatization of winter road maintenance. Bisson continues to push for better road maintenance here in the north.

This week Highway 11 between Kapuskasing and Hearst was closed. Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation Glen Murray says he’s meeting with leaders in northwestern Ontario this week. 

Moose FM asked the MTO why there was no information on the closure and condition of highways in the area last week. Roads had been closed and conditions for traveling were hazardous at best, but there was no information posted to the site. The only direction was to call 511 and after calling the number and wading through the various menus, there was no information. Gordan Rennie, communications officer with the MTO reported back that there was an internal miscommunication and it has been identified and rectified.

A Timmins councilor has thrown his hat into the ring for the Timmins-James Bay riding. Councilor Steve Black has decided to pursue provincial politics and take on incumbent NDP MPP Gilles Bisson. Black has cited the need for a strong voice at Queen’s Park to act on jobs, regional resource development and the economy in his decision to go for the nod. Black is a professional engineer and works at Xtrata. He’s been an outspoken member of  Timmins City council and sits on the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Board, the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board and the Porcupine Health Unit’s Board to name a few. The nomination for Timmins-James Bay’s PC candidate will take place on Saturday, April 27^th at 2:30pm at the Travelodge’s Conference Room 2. Kapuskasing’s mayor, Al Spacek has said he’s not going to run for the PC nomination.