Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Sep 21/01) - At least 400 people have signed a petition at Wrangling River Supply objecting to the territorial government's proposed highway toll (permit fee).

Co-owner Judy Harder started the petition Aug. 24 and has sent blank copies to Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk and Sachs Harbour. She hopes to get those petitions back, and will submit all of them to the government at the end of this month.

"I agree our highways do need attention," Harder said. "But this is not the way to do it."

Bills 9 and 10, which have passed second reading in the legislature, would impose a toll on commercial vehicles weighing at least 12,000 kilograms and carrying freight on NWT public highways, but not ice roads.

The permit fee will be based on axle configuration and the route travelled between predetermined zones on the highway system. Vehicles that remain within a single zone will not pay the fee.

A public highway improvement fund will also be established.

The aim of the toll is to raise funds so the GNWT can spend an additional $100 million in highway maintenance over the next four years.

Harder said the toll will add about 2.5 cents to each pound of freight, so that a 10-kilogram bag of flour will cost an extra 55 cents.

"We know there are freight costs on everything. It's not just groceries."

Harder said she's glad that residents are expressing their concern by signing her petition.

"To me, every name represents a concern."