Wellington MPPs, local municipalities push to rename Highway 6 Jack Johnson Memorial Highway
NEWS RELEASE
Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2015
Wellington MPPs, local municipalities push to rename Highway 6
Jack Johnson Memorial Highway
(Queen’s Park) – A move is underway to rename Highway 6 through Wellington County
the Jack Johnson Memorial Highway, in honour of the former MPP.
On May 27, Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott and Perth-Wellington MPP Randy
Pettapiece submitted an application to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to rename
Highway 6 through Wellington County the Jack Johnson Memorial Highway.
“Jack Johnson was an honest, decent, hard-working representative who always put his
constituents first,” said Mr. Arnott. “He was respected by everyone he worked with, from
all sides of the political debate and by MPPs from all parties. He is a role model which
all those who aspire to public service should seek to emulate.”
Jack Johnson served as a Member of Provincial Parliament from 1975-1990. After
redistribution in 1987, he became the first MPP to represent the Riding of Wellington.
“Jack Johnson left a legacy of service and hard work,” said Mr. Pettapiece. “As countless
county residents would still tell us today, the standard he set was very high indeed.”
“Since Jack Johnson was the first MPP to represent the Riding of Wellington, which
included the Riding of Wellington in its entirety, we believe it would be a fitting tribute to
rename Highway 6 – the highway that cuts through the centre of Wellington County from
north to south – in his honour,” Mr. Arnott pointed out.
Mr. Arnott and Mr. Pettapiece believe that this year is especially fitting to honour him
th th
since this would have marked both his 85 birthday and the 40 anniversary of his first
election to the Ontario Legislature.
“Given Jack Johnson’s long and distinguished record of service to our community as a
School Trustee, Mayor, and Member of Provincial Parliament, we believe that he is more
than deserving of this honour,” said Mr. Pettapiece.
Naming a provincial highway after a former MPP is not without precedent. Three other
former MPPs – Leo Bernier, Bruce Crozier, and John M. Turner – have had highways
renamed in their honour in the areas they used to represent.
Each municipal Council in Wellington County has passed a resolution endorsing the idea
of the Jack Johnson Memorial Highway.
“I’m glad that we can all work together to honour Jack Johnson and give him the
recognition that he deserves,” Mr. Arnott concluded.
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Ted Arnott, MPP
Phone: 416-325-3880
Email: ted.arnott@pc.ola.org