Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker says residents are waiting too long to get their license back after receiving medical clearance.
Walker says sometimes the bureaucratic delay can last up to a month, and that is an unreasonable amount of time. He says people need drive to get groceries, go to work, see the doctor and participate in family and community life.
He says it is expecially unacceptable in rural communities when there may be no alternative mode of transportation. He says the MTO delay effectively holds people hostage.
Walker adds local drivers also face higher sticker and registration fees, which jumped 62% to $120. this month.
Walker is supporting a resolution at Queen's Park calling on the Ministry of Transportation to re-instate drivers' licenses within five business days for those who have been medically cleared.
“Ontarians are paying a lot of money to the MTO and so there should be better and higher service standards, and I believe the five-day guarantee is that standard,” he said.
The bill was introduced by MPP Walker’s colleague and Member for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry, Jim McDonell.
Constituents are encouraged to voice their support for the resolution by calling or e-mailing the Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca at 416-327-9200 or minister.mto@ontario.c