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Minister Gravelle's statement on ONTC report

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle News Release ***** Today’s special report published by Ontario’s Auditor General has certainly acknowledged the significant challenges and complexity of transforming the ONTC.

 

Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle

News Release

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Today’s special report published by Ontario’s Auditor General has certainly acknowledged the significant challenges and complexity of transforming the ONTC.

Our government takes this special report very seriously. I thank the Auditor General and we will carefully reflect on her comments as we move forward.

I believe there is clear consensus among northern leaders that the current state of the organization is not sustainable and change is needed.

As the Auditor General notes in her report, there is little doubt that without change, the ONTC in its current structure will continue to require significant support on an annual basis, support that is only projected to increase into the future.

I have stated for quite some time now that I do not believe divestment is the only option before us. Different lines may require different solutions. That still remains the case today and I am pleased that our Memorandum of Understanding now formally reflects this by underlining transformation as the path forward.

We have a group of dedicated northern representatives providing invaluable support and advice through my ONTC Advisory Committee.

Together we continue to explore transformation options that include restructuring, alternative service delivery, new partnerships, and finding new owners. That is the work underway now and certainly, a full look at all costs and liabilities under each scenario will be included.

The Auditor General has presented numbers representing liabilities associated with the ONTC. These are important for decision making and will continue to inform the process.

However, I must stress these numbers do not represent our government’s approach through transformation. No decisions have been made at this time.

At the end of the day this is about finding a sustainable solution. Our government will take the time to meet the aims of sustainable employment, continued economic growth, and a strong transportation and telecommunications network in Northern Ontario.”

--Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines

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