A move is underway to rename Hwy. 6 through Wellington County the Jack Johnson Memorial Highway, in honour of the former MPP.
Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece and Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott submitted an application this week to the Ministry of Transportation to rename the highway.
Jack Johnson served as a member of provincial parliament from 1975-1990. After redistribution in 1987, he became the first MPP to represent the riding of Wellington.
"Jack Johnson left a legacy of service and hard work," says Pettapiece. "As countless county residents would still tell us today, the standard he set was very high indeed."
Pettapiece and Arnott believe that this year is especially fitting to honour him since this would have marked both his 85th birthday and the 40th anniversary of his first election to the Ontario Legislature.
Each municipal council in Wellington County has passed a resolution endorsing the idea of the Jack Johnson Memorial Highway.
"Since Jack Johnson was the first MPP to represent the riding of Wellington, which included the riding of Wellington in its entirety, we believe it would be a fitting tribute to rename Hwy. 6, the highway that cuts through the centre of Wellington County from north to south, in his honour," says Mr. Arnott.