Transportation Options for Highway 16 Coming Soon

Nov 27, 2015 | 8:20 AM

Transportation Minister Todd Stone says he’s preparing to announce a series of transportation service changes along Highway 16, the province’s so-called Highway of Tears.

A meeting was held in Smithers earlier this week to discuss transportation options.

Stone says the options he’s exploring include supporting volunteer-driven vans that link First Nations reserves with communities, improving transit schedules and expanding use of a bus that takes people to and from medical appointments.

The first call to action for transport services was made a conference almost ten years ago. That’s why with today’s news, Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee says he isn’t holding his breath.
“It is quite disappointing because it has been 9 years since the symposium happened. I think it comes down to really, is it an essential service.  We think it is. Whether the province does, I don’t think they do. To me I think it’s an indication of how we live up here in terms of health. I think it should be an indicator of how easy it is to access services.”