VICTORIA, B.C. — Provincial NDP leader, Joy McPhail, has tabled a bill in the provincial legislature that aims to stop the B.C. Liberals from privatizing the Coquihalla Hwy.

If accepted, the private members bill would amend the Transportation and Highways Act to ensure toll revenue could not be leased, contracted or sold to a third party.

In a press release, McPhail explained "The Coquihalla is public property. It has been paid for through taxes and tolls. Selling the revenue streams to the highest bidder is a betrayal of the Interior communities who paid to build the road. Interior communities are being told that they will continue to pay tolls for the next 55 years – but the money will go to lining the pockets of private companies instead of paying for public roads."

McPhail says she’s optimistic the bill will pass, despite the fact the provincial legislature is dominated by Liberal MLAs. She says it’s not likely her bill will be discussed until the fall sitting, since the last session in the house takes place this week.

"There’s plenty of time for Liberal MLA’s to discuss this matter with their constituents and come back to the legislature in the first week of October and support my private members bill," McPhail told local media.