'What a disappointment MPP Fedeli has been'

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO NORTHLAND
GENERAL CHAIRPERSONS
ASSOCIATION

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Opportunity wasted away - Fightback continues

NORTH BAY - Representatives from the General Chairperson’s Association (GCA) which represents all unionized employees at Ontario Northland (ONTC) continued to closely watch the Finance and Economic Affairs Committee debate and were puzzled by MPP Fedeli’s belief that his Schedule 51.1 ONTC amendment to the Budget would even see the light of day.

“What a disappointment MPP Fedeli has been during the budget committee debate. On Tuesday he spoke against the NDP amendment that would have prevented the Ontario Government from outsourcing ONTC services, and Fedeli sat on his hands and watched it be defeated as his Conservatives voted with the Liberals against the amendment," said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly.

The NDP amendment was ruled “In Order” by the Committee Chair and as was argued by MPP Gilles Bisson, would force a public legislative debate if the government were to move ahead on any plans to outsource or privatize the ONTC, thereby cementing successor rights, pension and benefit for employees and retirees.

“Fedeli yesterday chastised the NDP amendment as 'toothless' and today his amendment, while supported by the NDP, did not even come to a vote because it was ruled 'Out of Order' by the Committee Chair. We question just what Fedeli has been researching these past nine weeks that lead him to believe his amendment would even be considered as proper within the Budget Bill,” added Kelly.

“Fedeli had nothing to loose by supporting the NDP amendment yesterday if he was truly intent on representing his constituents. Today his proposed amendment was nothing but false bravado in an attempt to cover his parties preference to privatize all government services, from Hydro One to Ontario Northland,” said Kelly.

“What a wasted opportunity! Placed side by side, it’s clear which amendment was really supportive of the ONTC and which one was toothless. The fight for the New Deal continues,” concluded Kelly.

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