Minimum Maintenance Standards (MMS) Litigation Fund well accepted by Ontario
municipalities

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 19 /CNW/ - Support by Ontario municipalities to OGRA's efforts to build up a legal defense fund has been extremely positive.

OGRA learned in April that an application had been filed with the Superior Court in an attempt to have the Minimum Maintenance Standards declared void. The MMS are critical for municipalities when mounting a defence against spurious law suits stemming from accidents on municipal roads.

In May, the OGRA Board of Directors directed that the Association request intervenor status and directed that a letter be sent to every Ontario municipality requesting a 10 cents per-capita contribution to cover legal expenses. Over the last few weeks, numerous Municipalities have come forward and contributed to The MMS Litigation Fund and more are expected as the request works through the normal Council cycle.

OGRA's President, J. Paul Johnson, is pleased with the support. "We appreciate that municipal budgets are stretched and we are happy that municipalities are recognizing that a contribution now could save significant money in the future."

"The support Municipalities are providing to the fund will greatly assist OGRA in fighting this application on behalf of all our members," stated Executive Director Joe Tiernay. "Any funds not used will be refunded back to contributing municipalities on a pro-rated basis."

The mandate of the Ontario Good Roads Association is to represent the infrastructure interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services.

For further information: please visit the OGRA website at www.ogra.org or contact Joe Tiernay, Executive Director, at 905-795-2555 [email protected].