Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford says the province remains committed to twinning the Trans-Canada. The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River noted work is underway with planning, design and engineering work fully-funded by Ontario, said in a prepared statement.

He noted $100 million previously set aside in 2009 for the first phase of the project had been spent on other projects by the previous government, but it was replaced in the spring budget, according to the minister.

"Our government’s 2019 budget confirms our commitment to the twinning of Highway 17 from Kenora to the Manitoba border. Work is underway on the project, with planning, design and engineering being fully funded by the province," said the minister in a prepared statement yesterday.

Last week, Kenora MP Bob Nault said he didn't think the project was ready to move ahead, adding paperwork for the project hadn't been sent by Queen's Park to Ottawa and consultations with First Nations weren't complete.

Rickford disagrees.

"For three years, Bob Nault knew that the previous Ontario government had the funding to twin this stretch of highway, as well had the opportunity to work with the previous provincial government, and nothing was done. As a result, the money was diverted to other areas of the province, and this critical piece of highway has been left untouched. Bob Nault did not fight for this project," the minister continued in the prepared statement.

"Since being elected in June 2018, we have made more progress on twinning this highway than any other government over the past decade. I can assure you that this project is well underway with significant progress being made, and we continue to welcome additional funding from the federal government," the statement concluded.

The twinning of the Trans-Canada from Kenora to the Manitoba border is expected to be done in three sections:

Section #1: Between the Manitoba - Ontario Border and Hwy. 673

Section #2: Between Hwy. 673 and Rush Bay Road

Section #3: Between Rush Bay Road and Hwy. 17A

Last winter, the project engineer said he hoped to start work on the first phase this fall.

First Nation chiefs from Wash Bay, Shoal Lake 40, Dalles and Rat Portage signed an agreement last year, saying they're working together to protect their traditional lands.

For more information:

Not ready for twinning yet, Nault

Twinning could start in 2019, engineer