FONOM President bitterly disappointed and frustrated with Bartolucci
Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities News Release ********************** Alan Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing and President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), expressed ‘bitter disappointment and frustration’ with the
Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities News Release
**********************
Alan Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing and President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), expressed ‘bitter disappointment and frustration’ with the Provincial Government, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines and in particular with Minister Rick Bartolucci, today.
“I received correspondence from the Minister updating me on the divestment process that was to have been ‘transparent and done in a consultative manner with those affected’” explained Spacek.
“As it turns out, we get called to a meeting to hear that something we thought we were to be consulted on is now a done deal. It’s become another late-in-the week, trying- to- fly- below-radar announcement that otherwise wouldn’t stand up to either the ‘smell test’ or to public scrutiny.”
“The Province has blindsided every community in Northeastern Ontario with a cavalier decision made behind closed doors in Toronto. This will negatively affect future community, industrial and economic growth in Northern Ontario by closing the Ontario Northland Railway in September, 2012.”
“This will have a devastating effect on industrial development in Northern Ontario towns and cities where industrial output is shipped to market by the ONTC,” noted Mayor Tom Laughren of Timmins and Vice President of FONOM. “We thought someone from (the provincial) government was listening to the people from the North who understand the importance of the ONTC – but that is clearly not the case.”
Laughren went on, “We had asked the Minister to involve municipalities in the process to maximize returns and minimize negative impacts on our communities. Now, we’ll have to deal with the mess for local and provincial taxpayers that the Province is making of this divestment.”
“Another hole in Northern Ontario’s infrastructure that the province is likely creating is the sale of ONTERA,” Spacek said. “In most divestment opportunities, companies try to get the best price they can on the sale of their assets. By putting ONTERA on the ‘chopping block’, the market will try to ‘lowball’ their bids for this money making company. I’m not certain if the Province has done its ‘due diligence’ on these divestments, in light of the lack of transparency and the absence of meaningful dialogue,” noted Spacek.
President Spacek concluded, “Municipalities from across the North are working together to represent our people. We want to work with all levels of government for the betterment of Northerners. FONOM is committed to giving voice to the needs of Northerners and Northern municipalities – with the Province, the Federal government, with First Nations and with other stakeholders,” exclaimed Spacek.
“Our organization will be seeking explanation, clarification and meaningful dialogue with Provincial officials at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario(AMO) Annual General Meeting next week. Mayors of the affected municipalities in Northern Ontario will be consulted to determine our next options and steps regarding this unfortunate Provincial decision.”
