The Daily Press is the city of Timmins broadsheet newspaper.
Municipal, business and union leaders demand meeting with premier to discuss Ontario Northland
Northern leaders are refusing to give up the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission without a fight. Northern Ontario municipal, business and labour leaders met via teleconference this week to discuss strategy for saving Ontario Northland.
On Tuesday, the provincial Liberal budget was passed, even though opposition could have vetoed it in the current minority government situation. The plan to privatize the ONTC was left in the budget.
The group is making its second request for a meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty to discuss the issue. In addition, they are requesting meetings with leaders of the opposition.
“Although the opposition parties are suggesting we are going into Round 2 in the fight, not being made aware of the process or even the rules of engagement, we are feeling that we have been knocked to the canvas and once again abandoned in the North,” said Iroquois Falls Mayor Gilles Forget.
Leaders feel Northern Ontario has been left in the dark when it comes to key pieces of legislation impacting the region — such as the plan to privatize the ONTC.
“With 90% of the geographic area north of Hwy. 17, but with only 7% of the population, it appears the North is insignificant to all political parties,” said Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis.
“We seem to be the private backyards for the South, providing resources and entertainment on an as required basis.
“We cannot accept this and we need to be involved in decisions impacting our communities.”
While they are upset with the decision, Northerners are also fuming over the fact that they were never consulted.
“I have been in this business for a long time, worked with a number of governments, and to not be consulted, involved or even informed of the decision to divest Ontario Northland, a decision that has an everlasting impact to many communities, is disheartening and inexcusable,” said Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren. “We have been chosen to be our community leaders and we intend to lead.”
Northern leaders believe the government is misleading the public in Southern Ontario as to what the ONTC is all about.
“In discussions about subsidies, the government diverts to passenger services, and precisely the Northlander Passenger Service,” said Kapuskasing Mayor Al Spacek, president of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities. “Ontario Northland is much more than the Northlander passenger train. It’s about rail, bus and telecommunication infrastructure, and infrastructure in place to service the current and future needs of businesses and residents in the North.
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