Despite City Hall’s refusal to partner with the Ontario government and Councillor Rob Jellett’s flip-flop on safety improvements to HWY 174, Cumberland Ward Candidate Stephen Blais is asking City Hall to come together with the provincial government for the betterment of East End commuters.

“I will be that East End champion that fights to get our fair share of investments to improve the safety and widening of HWY 174,” says Blais. “It’s clear that City Hall is once again not interested in fixing HWY 174 for our residents.”

In 2007, the Ontario government offered City Hall $40 million to improve the 174 by widening it to four lanes from Orléans to Rockland. Between 2003 and 2007, there were 270 collisions on this stretch of highway. Five of the collisions resulted in fatalities and 52 caused injuries. In the end, Councillor Jellett and the City of Ottawa rejected this funding partnership proposal.

“The last thing our residents need is Councillor Jellett’s proposal to divert all out of town commuters to Innes Road,” adds Blais. “Once again, Councillor Jellett is proposing a policy that will penalize the residents of our community by further clogging-up an already congested Innes Road.”

After years of waiting for City Hall to become a partner, the Ontario government has announced it will begin an environmental assessment on widening County Road 17, the section of the highway outside city limits.

As Catholic School Trustee for Orléans and Cumberland, Blais previously worked with his local MPP and then Minister of Education, Kathleen Wynn, the current Minister of Transportation, to solve a decades old problem of excessive portables at St. Matthew High School in Orléans. An addition to the school is being built and will open in September 2010.

"I look forward to working with Minister Wynn and our local MPPs again to solve the problems with HWY 174," adds Blais. "Together we can ensure the East End gets the infrastructure investments we need to move our community, and our city forward."

On October 25, 2010, taxpayers across the East End will have a clear choice about which candidates should earn their trust for the next four years. A simple referendum will be held: 1) Choose change by electing candidates who favour improving the safety of HWY 174 and reducing commute times 2) Choose the status quo of incumbent City Councillors and sit in continually growing traffic congestion and unsafe driving conditions.

Rob Jellett on the record regarding this issue:

In August 2007, Councillor Jellett said “It’s a dangerous section of road, so something most definitely needs to be done.” Councillor Jellett added, “…if we only have to put up $15 million to get $100 million worth of work, it sounds like a pretty good deal.”

In April 2008, Councillor Jellett said, “The demand for this is coming from outside the city, not in the city”. “This is just not something we would do.”

In April 2008, Councillor Jellett said, “We have to take some kind of safety measures…It’s extremely dangerous…we have to make sure residents are protected.” Councillor Jellett added, “I just want (it) done – I don’t care who funds it.”

In December 2009, Councillor Jellett said, “Highway 174 is a disaster and needs a lot of work.”

In May 2010, Councillor Jellett said “This is coming out of the blue to me…I have no idea how the city is going to respond to that.”