A campaign by Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott to have the local portion of Highway 6 renamed the Jack Johnson Memorial Highway has received support from several municipalities here.
As the Ministry of Transportation requires a resolution of support from each municipality the highway passes through, Arnott has requested support from local councils recently.
Johnson served as an MPP from 1975-1990. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of his first election and what would have been his 85th birthday. He was the first MPP to represent the riding of Wellington, which included the County of Wellington in its entirety.
“He was an honest, decent hard working representative who put his constituents first and was respected by everyone he worked with, from all sides of the political debate and MPPs from all parties,” stated Arnott in his appeal for support. “Since Jack Johnson was the first MPP to represent all of Wellington County in the Ontario Legislature, I believe that it would be a fitting tribute to rename Highway 6 – the highway that goes through the centre of Wellington County from north to south – in his honour.”
Arnott pointed out there is precedent for renaming a highway in honour of a former MPP. Three other deceased MPPs, Leo Bernier, Bruce Crozier, and John M. Turner, have also had highways renamed in their honour in their areas. He also stated the only cost involved would be the cost of the signage, which he would approach the provincial transportation ministry to cover.
So far councils in Mapleton, Guelph-Eramosa and Puslinch have supported the idea. The Town of Erin has also supported the proposal even though Highway 6 does not pass through the municipality, while the Town of Minto, another municipality not on the route, simply received Arnott’s letter for information. Centre Wellington was scheduled to deal with the request on Monday.
“It’s about time,” commented councillor Dennis Craven at the March 10 Mapleton council meeting.
“Yes, I think this one’s long overdue,” agreed Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll.
