ONTC GCA says Wynne has made important and refreshing comments

BayToday was provided the following open note to the General Chairpersons Association members updating them on where the New Deal campaign stands:

Over the last couple weeks the new Wynne government has made some important and refreshing comments regarding the ONTC. These have been backed up by Minister Gravelle and most notably are both their consideration to now contemplate other options to revitalize the ONTC other than only divestment and a desire to see Metrolinx and ONTC work more collaboratively.

We know that the ONTERA process has moved forward to some degree, but we have a good sense that our collective voices, including MPP’s Bisson, Vanthof and Mantha, community leaders in FONOM along with the Minister’s Advisory Committee members comprising of Mayors Al McDonald, Tom Laughren, Nina Wallace and Al Spacek along with First Nation partners and industry, that ONTERA must be part of any revitalized and realigned ONTC and we believe that is also resonating with the Wynne government.

We have asked to meet with Premier Wynne and Minister Gravelle and we will be asking to meet with the Minister’s Advisory Committee as part of their process.

The New Deal plan creates an integrated transportation and communication organization within a Ports Authority under Canada Marine Act. It’s an achievable and proven business model that would be successful in meeting the policy objectives of the Province of Ontario and the Federal Government, who is also desirous to facilitate the development of the Ring of Fire in an environmentally approved and sustainable way.

An obvious next step would be for the Province to invite the Federal Government and First Nations to the table to discuss overall objective and chart a roadmap forward to construct this generational legacy project in the North that would maximize and enhance the current infrastructure into the resource rich ring of Fire.

As always once we have further details we will keep you informed.

In Solidarity
General Chairpersons Association
GCA