'Some of us remember the 2002 McGuinty Pledge,' Laughren

Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities
News Release

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Northern Ontario Municipalities Concerned with Province’s ‘Backward Approach” to North’s Transportation

Alan Spacek, President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) expressed his frustration with the Provincial government this week.

“We met with the Minister who is supposed to be responsible for Northern Development. Instead, this Minister has confirmed the McGuinty government’s intention to unilaterally divest a valuable public asset - the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission”.

“Without consulting Northern Ontario municipalities or industries, Minister Bartolucci has essentially put a great Northern asset up for a fire sale. What responsible government declares an asset unsustainable and then expects to get top dollar for it?” questioned Spacek.

“We feel there is a complete disconnect between the McGuinty government and the needs of the people of Northeastern Ontario demonstrated by them choosing this backward policy direction regarding the ONTC,” exclaimed Spacek.

As Tom Laughren, Mayor of Timmins and Vice President of FONOM put it, “Some of us remember the 2002 McGuinty Pledge:

“The Ontario Northland is an essential cornerstone of Northern Ontario’s economic and transportation infrastructure … and I further guarantee that my government will not permit any restructuring plan to go forward that relocates jobs out of Northern Ontario or eliminates transportation services provided by the ONTC.”

“Our ‘ask’ of the Minister was a simple one” claimed Spacek. “We realize the status quo at the ONTC is not acceptable and have offered to work with the province many, many times to help put the organization on a better footing. We asked that the divestiture process announced by Mr. Bartolucci on March 23 be put on hold until consultation with key Northern stakeholders can occur. We want the opportunity to be given to us to consider options and alternatives to maximize the return on this Great Northern Asset.”

“And why is this government hobbling the viability of its own Northern Growth Plan?” questioned Laughren.

“Northern municipalities want to be at the table as this asset’s future is being considered,” concluded Spacek.

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