FONOM vows to fight ONTC sell-off to 'the end'

The head of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities wants the province to rescind its decision to sell off the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission until consultation with northerners is conducted.

Alan Spacek, president of FONOM, said he was “shocked” and “disappointed” by the government’s announcement on March 23 “concerning their abandonment of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission and all of the vital transportation links it provides to the citizens and industries of the north.”

“It’s not just the horrible ramifications this divestiture has for the people of northern Ontario, it was also the way this decision was arrived at – in Toronto behind closed doors without any input from northerners who are most impacted,” Spacek said.

He wants to see some form of proper study and consultation with Northerners – both citizens and industries - undertaken.

“We will work diligently to rectify this most unfortunate situation,” Spacek said.

“Our organization has worked hard to assist the province in coming up with solutions to deal with ONTC over the years, and are more than willing to continue to do so to keep this vitally important transportation link in northern Ontario.” FONOM vice-president Tom Laughren, mayor of Timmins, said, in the press release. “Seniors needing medical help who cannot drive are going to be left to fend for themselves without the Ontario Northland Passenger Services – both by bus and by rail.”

North Bay industry will be seriously impacted by this short-sighted decision, Mac Bain, past-president of FONOM, added.

“We will fight this until the end,” Bain said.

A critical public asset is being abandoned by the province, and northerners, who are most affected by it, weren’t even consulted, Spacek said.

“We ask that the province put a two-year moratorium on this decision while we consult on the best ways to proceed,” Spacek said. “We ask that in the meantime, Ontario Northland be transferred to the Ministry of Transportation or to Metrolinx, where appropriate advice on this process can be obtained.”

The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines clearly does not have the policy development capacity to address the complex process of rail freight and passenger service and bus transportation divestiture, “and we want an open and transparent process,” he added.

Posted by Arron Pickard