ONTC priority for new Northern Development minister

New Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci says he wants to get up to speed and learn everything he can about the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.

“I’ve asked for a briefing about the ONTC as quickly as possible because my government intends to live up to its commitment not to privatize this Crown corporation,” Bartolucci told baytoday.ca during an interview from his constituency office.

The Sudbury MPP sees the ONTC as a key to sustaining economic growth in Northeastern Ontario, and part of the infrastructure needed “to ensure jobs come to North Bay and area.”

“Keeping the ONTC in taxpayer hands is one of our priorities for Northern Ontario,” Bartolucci said.

"I want to be a good minister"
His briefing on the subject is scheduled for next week, as Bartolucci embarks on a "huge" ministerial learning curve.

Part of that curve involved talking to two former MNDM ministers, Tory Tim Hudak and Liberal Renee Fontaine, who had served in the David Peterson government.

“At the end of the day I want to be a good minister so I didn’t want to miss touching any of the bases,” Bartolucci said.

He talked about sitting by the phone earlier this week hoping to receive a phone call from McGuinty informing him of entry into the Cabinet.

“The premier called and said he’d chosen me for Northern Development and Mines, the position I was really hoping to get,” Bartolucci said.

Enormous challenge
Although he was “thrilled” about the appointment, Bartolucci said he went through a temporary period of self-doubt.

“I couldn’t sleep because I had to make sure I was up to the job, up for this enormous challenge, that I wouldn’t fall on my face,” Bartolucci said.

“But I have a very strong work ethic I learned from my father and as the new minister I’m ready to work very hard for the people of Northern Ontario.”

Bartolucci said he hopes to find ways to create good jobs in Northern Ontario and stop the youth of the area from migrating south.

"I know how critically important this ministry is to economic development and population growth in the North," Bartolucci said.

He added he plans to include all Northern MPPs and not just Lbierals "to find solutions that spark economic growth and opportunity throughout the North."