Unless political pressure is applied it appears unlikely that North Bay will get a representative on the newly formed Northern Transportation Task Force.
The Ontario government has created a "locally-based task force in northern Ontario that will focus on transportation needs and opportunities in the region," reads a news release today. "The Northern Task Force, made up of community-based leaders, will examine ways to make it easier for people and goods to travel, while boosting economic growth in the North."
See: Northern Transportation Task Force will study 'unique transportation needs'
The task force has 13 members from northern Ontario but none from the North Bay area.
Co-chair Danny Whalen, President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and Councillor, City of Temiskaming Shores said "North Bay doesn't have someone on the committee but it does have a voice through me."
When it was pointed out that North Bay residents likely wouldn't consider someone 160 km north to be a local representative, Whalen countered, "Yes, but the other side of the coin is there are 110 municipalities in northeastern Ontario. There's also Timmins, but they are all represented through various associations.
"We will be going out to get everyone's input. But we simply can't have everybody at the table. It would defeat the purpose of forming the task force."
He says in his opinion the committee should not be larger than 15.
Whalen says North Bay mayor Al McDonald is not on the committee because "he's already announced he's not running again."
"I understand the concern, but once we are up and running, we could expand or contract the committee, but let's get the ground rules in place and we'll go from there," explained Whalen.
He adds the task force will be drawing heavily on the regional office of the MTO, which is in North Bay.
Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli offered no comment when contacted by BayToday, but a spokeswoman said more people will be added, and "the Ministry of Transportation remains committed to having the proper representation covering the north," but no firm promise was provided.
North Bay deputy mayor, and Liberal candidate in the upcoming election Tanya Vrebosch told BayToday that North Bay should have a seat on the task force.
"We are a major economic engine for northern Ontario. We are the crossroads of Ontario. It’s a shame to see the city slighted in a task force specifically developed to address northern transportation issues. Transportation is a huge issue for northern residents and the people in our community deserve a voice."
She also wonders why there is no representation from the aviation industry.
"What also seems to be a big miss in this task force is the aviation sector. Northern Ontario is accessed by land, rail and air. The City of North Bay has a 10,000-foot runway that needs to be identified and protected in any transportation plan."
