In a news release, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) expressed its concern regarding the sale of Ontera, the telecommunications division of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC).
FONOM, along with other stakeholders, are fearful of the negative effects on employment, revenues and service levels within Northeastern Ontario as a result of the sale.
FONOM believes that Ontera should be retained as part of the whole ONTC unit.
“While ensuring the ONTC is efficient and profitable in the long-term is a goal that we all share,” says Al Spacek, FONOM President, “we also need to ensure that northern jobs are not cut and service levels are not compromised.”
But he's not optimistic things will change.
"I suspect the government has taken the position that the private sector is better able to run Ontera," he told BayToday.
Spacek says he's been told by Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle that the Mayor's Action Committee will be reconvened soon to discuss the ONTC, but added Ontera is not part of the committee's mandate.
The continuation of the ONTC providing core infrastructure, including freight rail and refurbishment, bus services and the Polar Bear Express is critical to many municipalities in the north. Along with the divisions that will remain in public hands, FONOM hopes that the government will also continue to operate Ontera.
Spacek says FONOM did not discuss making any complaint with Canada's competition bureau.
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald could not be reached for comment.
