Auditor General to probe Ontario Northland fire sale
Wednesday, March 06, 2013 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
VIC FEDELI, MPP
NIPISSING
****************************
Auditor General to probe ONTC fire sale
QUEEN’S PARK - Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased the Auditor General will formally investigate the Liberal fire sale of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.
The Standing Committee on Public Accounts this morning voted to approve a motion directing the Auditor to probe Liberal financial claims regarding the ONTC.
“This is a game changer,” said Fedeli. “We will now have an independent opinion as to whether the government is being honest when it claims it will see large savings through the sale of the ONTC.”
“I maintain that will all the issues surrounding pensions owed to former employees, severance packages that will be owed, ongoing subsidies for the Polar Bear Express and smaller bus routes and environmental liabilities will mean there are NO savings to be had through this fire sale,” said Fedeli.
It’s possible that severance packages that could result from the ONTC divestiture could total $450 million alone, Fedeli continued.
“The Auditor now has the ability to look at the liabilities the government will face if they continue with their fire sale, and tell us just how much those will really cost.”
Fedeli reiterated the Ontario PC position that the ONTC is a cornerstone of job creation and economic development in the North, and the rail freight division must remain in public hands.
“The New Deal is a proposal that would accomplish this. I believe that the best way to ship ore is by rail,” said Fedeli.
“The ONTC should play a vital role in helping develop the Ring of Fire.”
****************************
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.
agent_zoey 3/6/2013 12:25:49 PM ReportThis is good news as this should apply the same as the fire sale of the OLG Lottery Business.
Paddlenut 3/6/2013 12:44:29 PM ReportI welcome this too, but I'd prefer the Auditor General's opinion on whether this is a "fire sale" over that of a loudmouth politician with his own agenda. And a little disappointed that SooToday would jump on his bandwagon too. The headline should read AG to probe Ontario Northland Sale. Period.
Ricatoni 3/6/2013 6:41:04 PM ReportThis is a good thing someone should look into it,However it is to bad that fedelli and his pc party is trying to take credit for this...Fedelli might have this one right?? now if he could only get a real leader for his party maybe people would listen.......but fedelli, sorry to let you know your leader tim hudak is quite frankly out to lunch.....
riverman 3/6/2013 6:41:36 PM Report@ Paddlenut:
I would like you to explain why you referred to Mr. Fedeli as a "loudmouth politician." The MPP from Nippising has been fighting this battle on behalf of his constituents for some time now. I don't see that as being a loudmouth. I see that as standing up and being heard...something we need from our political representatives in Northern Ontario. As for his "agenda," I would like you to enlighten me on that as well. Maybe you know something I don't. I know that when he was the mayor of North Bay, Mr. Fedeli refused to accept the mayor's salary because his personal finances were such that he did not feel comfortable accepting tax payer dollars for his community service. That does not sound like anyone with a personal agenda to me. But, again, I may not know all the facts. I look forward to your response.
Paddlenut 3/7/2013 7:20:35 AM Report@ riverman
I understand Fedeli's need to appear to work for his constituants, but he has made no clear statement on what he would do with ONTC. Perhaps he's not allowed to, I don't know. But his PC party attempted to divest ONTC before while Hudak was the Minister of Northern Development. Hard to imagine they would change their mind if ever in power. Not sure what value his mayor's salary brings to this debate, but did he not recently complain that his $116k MPP salary was demeaning? Difficult to find credibility there. My point is, that before one goes making claims of fire sale and predisposing the outcome of an independent audit, he should show a little class.
riverman 3/7/2013 9:20:05 AM Report@Paddlenut:
Thank you for elaborating. You are absolutely right about Mr. Fedeli complaining the salary for MPP's is too low (although it was a fellow MPP who actually used the term "demeaning"). I was not aware of that and, regardless of his argument for the need for higher pay (i.e. to attract more middle income candidates), his position does alter my opinion of him.
As far as the Ontario Northland isssue is concerned, I think I get what you're saying: since he has nothing to lose in this fight and since, as you say, he has not made any suggestions as to what he and the PC's would actually DO to save it from privatization, he can take the side of his constituents, stand on a soap box and say, "Bad Liberals. Bad!" And I can absolutely appreciate your point of view. See, I never thought of it that way. I guess that's my naiive faith that politicians actually do care about what's best for their constituents.
Either way, I know more now than I did before and you have made me consider some things I never took into account before, so thanks again for taking the time to write. I appreciate it.
Paddlenut 3/7/2013 10:29:52 AM ReportOne sure thing: It will be very interesting to follow this story which I will do, because I'm a nerd and enjoy reading AG-reports. Then Mr. Fedeli can either gloat or eat-crow as the case may be.
I was mostly annoyed about the headline.
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.
