Concerned that accident victims are being left alone on Highway 17 while others drive "mile after mile" to find cell coverage to call 911, two Sault Ste. Marie councillors are calling for action.
Ward 1 Couns. Sandra Hollingsworth and Sonny Spina will ask at tonight's city council meeting for support for a committee to be formed with surrounding communities to lobby for better cellular coverage between the Sault and Wawa.
The following is the full text of their resolution.
Tonight's city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 4:30 p.m.
Cell Service – Highway 17 North
Mover: Coun. S. Hollingsworth
Seconder: Coun. S. Spina
Whereas along the Trans Canada Highway between the municipalities of Sault Ste. Marie and Wawa are no-signal pits; and
Whereas the “dead spots” are conspicuous by their absence; and
Whereas there are numerous economic benefits to having dependable cell coverage, but most importantly for safety of our constituents that travel for work, pleasure and family; and
Whereas those that have been at an accident scene have had to drive miles and miles to find cell coverage to call for police, an ambulance and/or for general help, sometimes leaving an accident victim alone; and
Whereas reliable cell coverage for the north is a lifeline that can result in life or death; and
Whereas the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) continues to lobby the provincial and federal governments to invest into reliable cell coverage for the north and we as a city should support their efforts; and
Whereas Sault Ste. Marie is the largest municipality that should take on the responsibility to work with surrounding communities to lobby the provincial and federal governments for reliable cell coverage along the Trans-Canada Highway to Wawa;
Now therefore be it resolved that a cell coverage committee be established to work closely with surrounding communities situated on Highway 17 north to Wawa to establish a petition, a formal request that will be delivered to Premier Doug Ford, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry of Canada Francois- Philippe Champagne, MP Terry Sheehan, and MPP Ross Romano by fall 2023 asking for immediate action to ensure safety of those travelling along this portion of the Trans-Canada Highway
