voiCeS for

Scott Pretty
MAy 12, 2009 On May 12th it will be three years since my best friend lost her husband Scott Pretty to Highway 63. Scott was an amazing husband, father, brother, uncle, son and friend. Scott was a long time resident of Fort McMurray and worked for Syncrude. Without him, life will never be the same! Personally I need a safer Highway 63 because the pain and sorrow of loosing loved ones and seeing friends loosing love ones to this highway is too hard to bear. (Deanna)

April 27, 2012 I am sending a message to support the twinning of Highway 63 to make travel on this highway safer. My niece Courtney was killed on April 27th and my hope is that no other family has to experience such a devastating loss. (Beth Archibald, Dartmouth NS.) May 18, 2012 As we mourn for our daughter and unborn grandchild here in Nova Scotia, we send out thoughts to you about the importance of twinning of Highway 63. The last time I talked with Courtney was on election day in Alberta. She had just finished work and was on her way to vote. I asked about the Wildrose party and she told me they were very popular, losing support in the last days but the Conservative party had important platform issues to her. I said that her grandfather would be proud she was exercising her right to vote as he had held municipal government offices and instilled in us during his life the importance of voting. We all believe that government is in place to serve the people. That was the last time I will talk to my daughter. Please value her vote to you! We have, in Nova Scotia, heard a loud cry from many Alberta residents, protesters, Alberta business representatives, families of loved ones, highway contractors, etc., of continued fears of using this dangerous stretch of highway. Your government has seen protests, vigils, public outcry and many lives have been shattered and lost on this issue. Your province is not poor. Safe highways are built from Nova Scotia to British Columbia. Many highway projects face construction challenges and costs but still get done. What is the problem? Two years ago when another daughter and I went to visit Courtney and Mark in Fort McMurray we landed in Edmonton to rent a car, see Alberta and drive to Fort McMurray. Before leaving Edmonton many people asked why we were going there. Be careful, take your time and good luck were the comments given to the Nova Scotia tourists as we headed out. My daughter is a paramedic in the Cape Breton highlands and her 10-year experience handling many risky, challenging highways and road conditions did not compare to Highway 63. This drive was beyond description! We were not dealing with weather concerns but we could not believe the passing on solid lines, heavy equipment traffic, speeds, lack of passing lanes, etc. In Edmonton we saw a rich, beautiful, bustling city. When we arrived in Fort McMurray we saw growing residential suburban development all around us. We were surrounded by new vehicles, expensive homes, lots of employed people a huge tax base. What happened between the two cities with Highway 63? The article in the paper regarding the increase in motor vehicle charges since the accident is nice to see. I was a police officer for 30 years and I also know that this type of enforcement cannot be kept up over a long period of time due to operational costs. The police officers, paramedics, fire department and all who travel Highway 63 are put at increased risk because no one seems to want to take up the fight to get this highway improved. Its time for someone or some political party step up and address this situation. Good luck to Alberta with Hgihway 63! Unfortunately, we will not need to travel to Fort McMurray again. Our daughters life was about family, faith, helping others and good times. May the results of this accident serve a purpose to help other mothers, fathers, children, wives, husbands, emergency response personnel and workers of all trades who travel Highway 63. As I wipe tears from my keyboard, we continue to grieve and pray for a successful outcome to Highway 63. Courtneys Mom & Dad

Courtney Penney

April 7, 1971 On April 7, 1971, Highway 63 was not paved and thus very, very dusty. At Crow Creek, a vehicle pulled out to pass a truck when it was unsafe. The truck driver even flashed his lights to warn him of our loved ones coming, but he hit them head on, killing all four in the car instantly. (Sue Dragon)

alice caron 71 years old

Dwight gauthier 17 years old

Keith Dragon 21 years old

Maxine Dragon 10 years old

Jack Hindbo
MArch 9, 2006

Jack hindbo died on March 9, 2006 on highway 63 approximately 130 km south of Fort McMurray. (Vivian hindbo, calgary)

ranjit Singh Doad

Sept 5 1947 - Dec 14, 2011 We have lost our loved one to this highway. Words cannot even begin to express our pain and sorrow, we dont want anyone else going through this pain. love you and miss you Mama ji very dearly.(Bill Minhas, Manager Operations Training, Energy Services)

Oct 14, 1989 JAnuAry 19, 2011 Isiah lost his life on Highway 63 North coming down Beacon Hill. The highway was extremely icy and not sanded at the time. (Reagan LaPrairie, V.P. Of Operations, LapPrairie Crane, Northern Hoisting Professionals)

isiah Billard

Oct 4, 1999 My nephew Colin McKay died on Highway 63. We need a safer 63 to ensure no other family has to deal with the grief and heartache of losing a loved one. (Sherry McKay)

Colin McKay

Peggy Quinton
1988

Here is a picture of our mother, Peggy Quinton. She died at the intersection of Thickwood Blvd and Highway 63 in 1988. Her car was hit by an oil tanker and she died the next morning due to her injuries. She was 45. I need a safer Highway 63

because my mother died on Highway 63 and I dont want to lose more family members as they travel to and from their home in Fort McMurray. (Sheppard, Bev Cameron, Cynthia Quinton-Torley and Debi Burt (The Quintons).