Council demands return of OLGC jobs

City Council wants Ontario Premier Ernie Eves to stop the erosion of Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. (OLGC) jobs from Sault Ste. Marie.

In view of the Sault's population-decline problems, the City is asking Eves to recommit to the province's original plan to relocate the OLGC headquarters in Sault Ste. Marie.

Councillors learned Monday night that OLGC employment in the Sault peaked at 504 employees in 1995, but has since dropped by 70 jobs.

Meanwhile, employment at OLGC's 'corporate' office in York Mills has swelled by 60 workers, to a total of 124, over the same period.

And there are now 100 jobs at OLGC's Lesmill office, which was originally to be moved to Sault Ste. Marie. That's an increase of 34.

Peterson Liberals agreed to move in 1986

David Peterson's Liberal government announced the relocation of what was then the Ontario Lottery Corp. to Sault Ste. Marie in 1986. Councillors also voted Monday night to ask the Ontario and federal governments to relocate civil-service jobs to the Sault to make up for employment losses here.

City staff estimate, based on discussions with union officials, that more than 1,000 local jobs have been lost as a result of federal and provincial downsizings.

Council also decided Monday to call on both the federal and provincial governments to develop a strategy to ensure that Northern Ontario shares in the province's growth.

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