What the government is calling "a locally-based task force in northern Ontario" will focus on "transportation needs and opportunities in the region" but contains no representatives from North Bay and area.
The 13 member 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," says a news release issued Friday morning.
“Our government understands that northern Ontario has unique transportation needs that can make travelling between local communities more challenging for people, and we continue to take action to alleviate these challenges and make travel safer,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “The Northern Task Force will ensure transportation plans reflect the diverse voices within the community and inform our government of the most important local needs.”
The task force includes representation from northern mayors, Indigenous Chiefs, and other business and transportation leaders from across the north, but not North Bay.
“Getting the north moving is a top priority for our government,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development. “Establishing the Northern Task Force is another critical step in our government’s plan to build a better transportation network for northern Ontarians. We are committed to improving transportation and infrastructure to support a stronger economy for the north.”
The task force members are:
Danny Whalen (Co-Chair): President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and Councillor, City of Temiskaming Shores
Wendy Landry (Co-Chair): President, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) and Mayor, Municipality of Shuniah, Thunder Bay
Mayor Brian Bigger: Mayor of Greater Sudbury
Mayor Daniel Reynard: Mayor of Kenora
Mayor Dave Plourde: Mayor of Kapuskasing
Mayor Doug Lawrance: Mayor of Sioux Lookout
Mayor Johanne Baril: Mayor of the Municipality of Val Rita-Harty, Cochrane District, and President of NorthEastern Ontario Municipal Association
Grand Chief Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh: Grand Council Treaty #3, Kenora
Chief Melvin Hardy: Northern Superior Regional Deputy Grand Council Chief, Anishinabek Nation
Kevin Eshkawkogan: CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario, Manitoulin Island
Alan Spacek: Chair of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, Kapuskasing
Charles Cirtwill: President and CEO of the Northern Policy Institute, Thunder Bay
Ron Bumstead: Owner, Bumstead Trucking, New Liskeard
Additional members may be added at a later date says the release.
BayToday contacted Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli this morning to ask about the committee makeup. A spokesman said more people will be added and "the Ministry of Transportation remains committed to having the proper representation covering the North," but no firm information was provided.
Whalen told BayToday that he wouldn't want to see the committee expanded past 15 members, and pointed out that Timmins also doesn't have a representative.
“The Minister has heard the concerns of northerners with regards to transportation needs and the safety of our northern highways.," said Whalen. "The quality of the people appointed to this Transportation Task Force ensure reasonable and responsible results.”
