Northern Mayors and ONTC union reps want a meeting with McGuinty

NORTH BAY - On Wednesday, Mayors from the Northern Communities Working Group, along with representatives from Ontario Northland Unions and the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce met via teleconference to discuss the next steps in striking a new deal for the ONTC, following Tuesday’s passing of the Provincial Budget.

Given the magnitude of this decision, a second request for a meeting with Premier McGuinty is being made.

In addition, we will be requesting meetings with leaders of the opposition to understand how they will be helping the North to preserve Ontario Northland and its services.

“Although the opposition parties are suggesting we are going into round 2 in the fight, not being made aware of the process or even the rules of engagement, we are feeling that we have been knocked to the canvas and once again abandoned in the North,” said Mayor Gilles Forget, Mayor of Iroquois Falls.

Mayor Peter Politis suggests that “with 90 percent of the geographic area North of Highway 17, but with only 7 percent of the population, it appears the North is insignificant to all political parties. We seem to be the private backyards for the south providing resources and entertainment on an as required basis.”

Mayor Politis further stated, “We cannot accept this and we need to be involved in decisions impacting our communities.”

“I have been in this business for a long time, worked with a number of governments, and to not be consulted, involved or even informed of the decision to divest Ontario Northland, a decision that has an everlasting impact to many communities, is disheartening and inexcusable. We have been chosen to be our community leaders and we intend to lead,” said Mayor of Timmins, Tom Laughren.

“At no time have the real stakeholders, impacted by the ONTC divestiture decision, been consulted or involved,” states North Bay’s Mayor Al McDonald.

“The government talks about involvement, participation and consultation but the delivery has been non-existent. It is quite evident there is no concrete plan for the implementation of this decision, it seems to be proceeding on a day-to-day basis.”

“In discussions about subsidies, the Government diverts to passenger services, and precisely the Northlander Passenger Service. Ontario Northland is much more than the Northlander Passenger Train, it’s about Rail, Bus and Telecommunication infrastructure, and infrastructure in place to service the current and future needs of businesses and residents in the North. This is about investing in the North, looking at the total picture and impact, not just the dollar subsidy”, said Mayor Al Spacek of Kapuskasing and President of FONOM.

Black River-Matheson Mayor Mike Milinkovich said, “The future of the Ontario Northland is of vital importance to the entire North and we need all parties to clearly state their position with respect to this valuable Northern organization and to work with all stakeholders to find a solution that can be supported by the North. The time for complacency is at an end. The time for action is here. If the government will not engage us, we intend to engage the government.”

John Strang, President of the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, said “the North plays a key role in the health of the Provincial economy and as business leaders in order to attract future investment we need the government to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support these investments. Ontario Northland plays a key role in providing this infrastructure to the North and the business community is very concerned with how the government is proceeding with this divestiture.”

Brian Kelly, spokesperson for Ontario Northland General Chairperson’s Association says there has been no dialogue with the Ministry in regards to the business model leading up to their decision.

“There is no dispute that the ONTC lines of business are good; however, being stifled within MNDN model is not working. Northern Ontario relies on ONTC’s coordinated and integrated modes of transportation and communication which enhances prosperity, sustainability and quality of life in the North, and that is worthy of a stand-alone corporation on equal footing as Southern Ontario’s Metrolinx. To us, it is very evident this government is hell bent on proceeding with a fire sale of the ONTC parts without any involvement or consultation,” states Kelly.

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