'We're extremely disappointed by the lack of consultation, transparency'
Thursday, August 16, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO NORTHLAND GENERAL
CHAIRPERSONS ASSOCIATION
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NORTH BAY - Representatives from the General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) which represents all unionized employees at Ontario Northland (ONTC) were hastily summoned to a meeting today with Infrastructure Ontario’s lawyer to be informed that the Northlander will be discontinued in the coming weeks and the divestiture of Ontera continues to proceed.
“In our view the McGuinty Government is feeling the increasing pressure from Northern Ontario and is scrambling to somehow send a message to communities that the ONTC fight is lost. The Liberals intend to remove the Northlander service on September 28 and we intend to ensure that come September 29, that the Northlander is still on track continuing to service the rail corridor,” said Brian Kelly, spokesperson for the GCA.
“This demonstrates an increased level of disdain by this government for Northerners who live, work and travel into and out of the region. New Metrolinx rail services are being announced in southern Ontario on a weekly basis, and perversely they call the discontinuance of passenger rail service in Northern Ontario an enhancement,” added Kelly.
Additionally, Infrastructure Ontario restated that Ontera remains on the divestiture chopping block as possibly the first line of business to be severed from the ONTC family and sold in the fire sale.
“We pressed Infrastructure Ontario for details of the Ontera divestiture process and they replied that they had no details to add nor do they have any timeline for the process to move along. Quite simply this was a repeat of the McGuinty Government’s wrong headed decision to conduct a fire sale,” added Kelly.
“We remain extremely disappointed by the lack of consultation, transparency and detail in regards to the McGuinty Government’s plans to harm Northern Ontario,” concluded Kelly.
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Glenave 8/16/2012 4:30:11 PM ReportThe Liberal base is in Southern Ontario. They have no fear of threats by the North not to vote for them. We should support the opposition members in the 2 ridings holding by-elections and defeat the ruling Liberals.
dogi 8/16/2012 4:38:35 PM Reportdidn't the ndp support the libs in the last budget? if the didn't they may have been gone by now....
speed7 8/16/2012 5:01:54 PM ReportThe levels of disdane are going to get worse. Blame the libs all you wish. There all a bunch a crooks. If you think voting for the opposition parites will help... think again. Hudak does not care about northern ontario.
POKER 8/16/2012 6:45:34 PM ReportSpeed7---a typical liberal response. Deflect attention away from the spend and tax, incompetent government of Mcguinty by attacking the opposition, without any facts to back it up
so-kendra 8/16/2012 8:21:26 PM ReportNo! matter what any of you's say the Liberal and or Conservatives r going to do what they want. They r all crooks and they r paliticans so no matter what everything that comes out of there mouths r nothing but `` LIES `` regardless of what u or i have got say about things
geterdun 8/16/2012 9:16:15 PM ReportPeople do you really think it matters what politician or party is in control??? Come on wake up!!!!!!!they are all in it for themselves... just look what they get the POWER!!!huge salary,benefits,and of course the gold plated pension.These two faced lying politicians dont care about us all they want is our money so they can give it to their friends........ They couldnt care less if these people had to walk from Moosenee to Sudbury.Rick Bartouluchi on tv saying that they were going to replace the rail service with top notch service in the North..LMAO!!! He coudnt even say it on TV??? You in the North will now be taking a bus if you want to travel south and thats that ........Well one thing is for sure with these LIbs they have put us and our kids so far in debt that we will never see the light of day......The conservatives want everyone to work for 10 bucks an hour so that their friends can have all the money for themselves....The moral of the story here folks...Politicians and those who have money or access to it will be taking over Ontario in the future!!!! everything is on the privitization block... cant wait to see the forseable future of this Province and Country were FUc*&$!!!!!!!!! unless of course you have the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and political friends.:}
Lucky Me 8/17/2012 1:17:32 AM ReportI might add that it seems that this News Media - SOOTODAY - has removed posts in the past that may upset Natives or Politicians, even if my opinion, or any Taxpayer's opinion, is their right to have an opinion & state it as such. I have made a copy so that if any are removed I can send a copy to other News Media's that will publish it. Everyone should do the same, as you have the right to state an opinion & it shouldn't be removed because 'someone' doesn't like it. That 'someone' is usually someone who has something to hide. Too bad for them. I hope no one is upset by my opinions. Have a Great Day Everyone........
speed7 8/17/2012 7:05:09 AM Report Poker, we all have a choice. Chill out.
The difference between us, is I can see through the conservative bull crap and you cant. You keep riding those blue coat tails. Go Poker Go!
speed7 8/17/2012 7:25:37 AM ReportI agree geterdun. The sault will wind up a 10 buck an hour wage earning city your right. And all the mayor cares about is her stupid city plaque that she wants to re design for the sault and wine and dine david johnston our governor general to the queen .... waiste of money right there folks. But hey what do I know?
Our city is falling apart. Million of dollars that hayes gifted away to make himself look like red coat. Sorry but 3 seperate donations of 7 million dollars to one group of people???? Talk about pissing money into the wind.
speed7 8/17/2012 8:17:18 AM ReportYour right lucky me. Unless you are using foul language or something I dont see why a post like that needs to be removed. If seperatists or policians dont like to hear the truth too bad. I should be able to say what I want as long as its courteous and polite.
speed7 8/17/2012 1:34:18 PM ReportGeterdun, reguarding political donations,I have seen it myself, people donating money to the campaign during an election and then somehow the elected official assists that donator so they can get help with dissability ect..., and help with alot of things they get first seat on the bus. I guess you have to pay to get into the elite club. Disgusting. And people waiting in line for heart problems cant get to sudbury in time for surgery. We have only one cancer doctor left and 2 cardiologists. The jobs in this city will be minimum wage based. This city is going to pass a very bad stage. Already we are starting to see things happen. But when I see on paper 3 seperate donations of 7 million dollars to seperatists amongst other ones, Those funds make for a very bad pill for hayes and his conservatives to swallow. I guess pleasing separtists is more important. I think to myself, hey this is just not working anymore folks. Our government is totally messed up. We need to speak up go to the goverment web sites and voice your concerns. I am afraid however its too late to do so. You want to know where all your tax money is going to folks? The ones you keep compaining about teachers , doctors, nurses, CEO's of corporations? I'll tell you, it went to the seperatists 3 times at a cost of 7 million dollars . That's where. Not invested in your community.
IB-fine 8/17/2012 2:39:27 PM ReportMore cuts for the North.....big surprize!
If you live north of Barrie the politicians don't care as only 20% of the population is up here and all their votes are in the south.
How does they expect people from Moosenee to get to the south....by bus! Obviously they know nothing about the roads, and lack their of in that region!
Lucky Me 8/18/2012 3:03:04 PM ReportThe TRUTH always HURTS & when a News Media removes posts of opinions they are showing that FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION is muzzled by them. My post of 8/17/12 12:48:27 AM, was removed for no reason but to muzzle my opinion. Thank you SOOTODAY for showing your true colors. We even have DICTATORS at your News Media, What a disgrace.......................
speed7 8/18/2012 4:00:28 PM ReportThe people who complained were leaders of the seperatists. They pushed there noses around. Dictated their law. And presumed to have preference over our healthcare which we pay for. After all, the truth would make the seperatists look bad. Yeah ....the truth hurts.
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
