May 19, 2010 Posted Hamilton Spectator
Canadian Press
FORT FRANCES, Ont. — Couchiching First Nation says its plan to erect a toll booth on Highway 11 in northwestern Ontario is still a go for noon on Friday.
The band began a traffic slowdown Wednesday at the site just west of the Noden Causeway.
Band members were handing out information sheets to passing vehicles outlining Couchiching’s reasoning for setting up the toll booth.
The First Nation says it hasn’t been properly compensated for the land used for Highway 11 and says governments have failed to remedy soil contamination from a former sawmill.
Band officials say there has been little to no response from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
Chief Chuck McPherson says the province’s only “offer” to the community has been to put up some street signs, street lights, and possibly a bike path along Highway 11.
“We got a call from the deputy minister’s office asking if we’d like to have some serious discussions — that begs the question, what were the discussions before, if they weren’t serious?” said McPherson.
Councillors opted to set the toll at $1 per passenger vehicle and $10 for commercial vehicles, with tolls to be collected for those travelling in both directions.
Monthly passes also will be available for $25 for passenger vehicles and $100 for commercial ones.