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GCA disappointed community leaders not involved in meeting with Gravelle

********** The General Chairperson's Association (GCA) representing unionized employees at Ontario Northland were disappointed to learn that today’s meeting called at the request of the government did not include community leaders and other stakehold
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The General Chairperson's Association (GCA) representing unionized employees at Ontario Northland were disappointed to learn that today’s meeting called at the request of the government did not include community leaders and other stakeholders.

"We were disturbed to learn as we entered the meeting today that the government had not invited the other stakeholders in these discussions regarding the ONTC’s future. We have stated publicly numerous times the GCA believes that an open and frank discussion with all ONTC’s stakeholders is the best way to develop a long term viable option to divestment ", said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly.

"We were invited today by Northern Development & Mines Minister Gravelle to participate in ONTC transformation discussions tentatively set to begin in the fall. We were told that these discussions would be independent of the business plan development that the government itself will undertake and will not involve the Minister’s Advisory Committee (MAC). In accepting the invitation, we expressed our concern that this is not our favoured approach, as it excludes northern stakeholders.” added Kelly

"With all these independent discussion occurring, we are calling on Premier Wynne to step up and personally task a representative, as has been suggested, to oversee this very important and serious undertaking which would include all stakeholders. What Northerners are expecting is less pacifying bureaucratic talk and more action behind the willingness to consider viable options to divestment," concluded Kelly.

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