GORE BAY—The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has confirmed the seniors driving training program will be reinstated in Gore Bay at a location the town offered for the classes to be held. Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane confirmed this after a meeting with an MTO official this past Tuesday, pointing out the program is expected to start again in April.
“I had a meeting with the MTO manager of this program from North Bay this morning,” Mayor Lane told the Recorder on Tuesday. “It is all good news on that front. I showed her the location that we have offered for the courses to take place, the council chambers (in the municipal office), and she is content it meets all the requirements for accessibility.”
“She said it will take some time to do the booking for the course, the sessions will probably start sometime in April,” said Mayor Lane. “And for the first year, three sessions will take place.”
Community members had grown concerned when learning that a program which assists them with their driver and vision tests was removed from Gore Bay, prompting them to reach out to local MPP Michael Mantha for assistance, he told the Recorder.
“These services will be returned to Gore Bay while being run in Little Current as well,” Mr. Mantha told the Recorder last week.
Mayor Lane had told the Recorder late last week that the program would again be offered in Gore Bay, and that the MTO would (and did) carry out an inspection on the council chambers to make sure they were accessible to everyone.
“I’m not sure what changed their minds. I know we as a town and council had lobbied to have the services returned,” said Mayor Lane. “And Michael Mantha, our MPP (for Algoma-Manitoulin), worked on our behalf as well. I’m guessing it was a combination of things that led to the ministry’s decision.”
The Group Education Sessions (GES) basically looks at drivers over 80, and tests their vision, reviews their driving record, requires them to participate in learning and screening sessions. Seniors must complete two in-class screening assignments and if necessary, take a road test every two years to maintain their licences.
“Seniors and their families rely on these services; in rural areas and remote communities for these programs and services are essential. We welcome the new services that will be available for seniors in Little Current along with the reinstatement of the program in Gore Bay,”
Mr. Mantha stated.
Community members grew concerned upon hearing that the Ministry of Transportation was relocating its GES from Gore Bay to Little Current.
“In Northern and rural areas people depend on personal vehicle transportation; it is essential and such services for our aging populations need to be maintained,” said Mr. Mantha. “In an area with a larger senior population it is vital that we offer these services to ensure the safety of motorists and everyone else on the road. I am pleased to see this finally moving forward.”
“The fact that the MTO is offering the program in Little Current and Mindemoya, and returning back to Gore Bay will mean it is providing good services for all of Manitoulin Island,” said Mayor Lane. “It is a win for all seniors on Manitoulin Island, not just seniors in Gore Bay. And the fact that they are adding the services in Little Current is a good thing.”
“We are hoping those seniors that need to take the course will,” said Mayor Lane, “and that should ensure the program continues. There needs to be demand for this program, and I think there will be once word gets around. And for those seniors on the West End of the Island this (Gore Bay) is the closest location they can use, so I would think and hope they will use it. But the good news is that the program has been reinstated.”
