Ontario and Municipal Roads: What's the Difference?

Friday, June 17, 2022

The Municipality of Central Manitoulin has seen an influx of emails and phone calls about Provincial Road conditions. Some complainants are not aware of which roads are Municipal or Ontario roads while others are. Ultimately the Provincial roads are Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and their subcontractors’ like Emcon Services responsibility to care for, maintain and replace those roads.  While the Municipality continually lobbies the Provincial Government on behalf of its citizens, the resolution is not always effective or within a suitable timeline for many citizens.

To this end, we are advising citizens with the attached map showing in yellow which roads are maintained by the Province of Ontario. Further the attached example image shows signs indicating the road numbering with the Ontario logo at the top and is a key indicator that the road is under Provincial jurisdiction.  All 500 series roads such as Highway 542 and Highway 551 are Provincial Roads. Highway 6 on the east end of Manitoulin Island but not in this Municipality is also a Provincial Road. The 500 series roads run through every major town in Central Manitoulin meaning that for example the main roads in the town of Mindemoya and the town of Providence Bay are Provincial.  All other roads within the Municipality of Central Manitoulin are either municipal roads, unmaintained roads or private roads.  

Any complaints about Province of Ontario Road conditions can be made to MTO complaints or requests to the Regional MTO line at 1-800-461-9547. All correspondence from there will be sent to whom it may concern to action.

A Little About Central

The Municipality of Central Manitoulin is located in the centre of Manitoulin Island with an abundance of lakes, rivers, and beaches. The Municipality includes the villages and hamlets of Mindemoya, Providence Bay, Spring Bay, Sandfield and Big Lake. We offer diverse attractions and unique landmarks such as our sandy beach in Providence Bay or access to Lake Manitou, the largest lake on the island. We invite you to visit our community in the "heart" of Manitoulin Island. 

Find out more...

On The Map