Citing the potential for more lost jobs in Eastern Ontario, Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman wants the provincial government to delay refurbishing service stations along Highway 401 until the economy improves.
The Ministry of Transportation wants to renovate the roadside complexes, but Runciman said no one is responding to the government's call for tenders during tough economic times. Yet the closures continue to proceed.
Runciman, the Progressive Conservative leader in the Ontario legislature, believes 200 workers will lose their jobs and highway drivers will be hassled under the plan.
The region has already suffered major job losses, highlighted by the closures of the Hershey plant and the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls.
"This is happening when the province is in a recession," Runciman told CTV Ottawa. "I find it dismaying and mind-boggling."
Watch a full interview with Bob Runciman on CTV News at 11:30 p.m on Saturday
