Liberal minister sang exactly opposite tune in 2001 (photo)
Tuesday, September 04, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO NORTHLAND GENERAL CHAIRPERSONS ASSOCIATION
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'McGuinty government derails celebrating the Northlander Train'
NORTH BAY - Representatives from the General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) which represents all unionized employees at Ontario Northland (ONTC) are shocked by the governments response to their request of August 22, 2012, to charter the Northlander Train on Saturday September 22, 2012, in order to thank Northerner’s for their support in utilizing the passenger train over the many years.
“We were notified by letter today that the McGuinty government will not allow the GCA to charter the Northlander passenger for a planned customer appreciation trip. Their letter says in part, 'In response to your request to charter a special train on September 22, 2012 ONTC is in process of discontinuing the Northlander passenger train service and will not be chartering any trains on or before September 28th, 2012', stated GCA President Ron Marleau
“This is yet another example of the McGuinty government’s disdain for Northerners and speaks volumes about their growing concern over the mobilizing of Northern communities against this government’s ill-conceived plan to isolate the North. Just last week Moosonee Mayor Vic Mitchell joined the growing list of municipal leaders speaking out against the divestiture of Ontario Northland,” added Marleau.
Back on April 19, 2001, during the Mike Harris reign, the GCA charted the Northlander and branded it “The Survival Express” which left Hearst, Ontario making stops along the way picking up more than a thousand Northerners before arriving at Toronto’s Union Station.
“The Survival Express arrived at Union Station where we were greeted by Liberal MPP Rick Bartolucci [photo] who was front and centre as we marched to Queens Park where he led the crowd of Northerners in the rallying cry that 'ONTC was Not For Sale' while standing under Premier Harris’ office window,” added Marleau.
“The evidence is now overwhelming that Premier McGuinty and Minister Bartolucci do not want to hear from citizens, communities nor business who live, work and play in Northern Ontario. This step to quash one day to celebrate the Northlander passenger train confirms that they are fully aware that what they are doing is wrong and will try take every measure, no matter how heavy handed it is, to shut down the North,” concluded Marleau.
For more information, please contact Ron Marleau at 705-475-8032 or visit here.
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geterdun 9/4/2012 8:32:03 PM Reportpoliticians who are liars WHAT!!!!!!!!!no way.........who would of thought???????can you imagine a politician or premier who would lie just to get elected to office and recieve a gold plated pension paid by tax payers...im astounded by their immoral actions......
medsec 9/4/2012 8:57:11 PM ReportI say exactly geterdun, I wonder if McSquinty doesn't get back in again, will he go back to teaching, doubt it now!!!!!
medsec 9/4/2012 8:58:53 PM ReportSorry I meant David O,(go back to teaching, not McSquinty, his pension will carry him thru.
speed7 9/4/2012 10:28:19 PM ReportA bunch of actors and actressess pretending like they care... just like harper and hayes! The satire is on us.
Pink Peony 9/5/2012 9:44:25 AM ReportLook at Bartolucci. Talk about melodramatic!! He looks like a raving lunatic in that photo.
mvnnth 9/5/2012 11:36:34 AM Report"this government’s ill-conceived plan to isolate the North."
I'll say. What kind of a plan would cost countless billions to twin the highway link from Toronto to North Bay? That's isolationism at it isn't cheap. As far as the train is concerned it is no riders, no train service.
mvnnth 9/5/2012 11:37:47 AM Reportsorry not at, s/b and
Resident 9/5/2012 12:59:04 PM ReportHow can there be riders with no train service. I would ride the train from the Soo to Toronto IF THERE WAS ONE. The Liberals are acting suspiciously like the cons/reform.
IB-fine 9/5/2012 5:18:45 PM ReportFor sure all the Liberal ministers sang a different tune while under Harris...now they are in power we've had cuts to everything from physiotherapy and eye exams to education cuts, disability cuts, greening of your home cuts now train service.
Somethings affected all Ontarians but most just affect the North and rural areas cause we aren't south of Barrie and in the GTA or Ottawa areas.... and as told to me by a member from the GTA at a provincial board meeting once, " well there's only 20% of the population and voters in those areas so who cares?!?!" I guess the northern Liberals have picked this theory up too!
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.
