Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) will transition into a new chapter of operation without president-CEO Paul Goulet.
Goulet, who steered the North Bay-based Crown corporation through a rocky phase of restructuring following the Ontario government’s divestment decision in 2012, announced his sudden resignation on Oct. 6.
In a memo sent to Ontario Northland employees, Goulet gave no reason for his departure, but said “it is now time for new leadership to finish the transformation.”
Corina Moore will serve as interim president and CEO. The search for a replacement is expected to take several months.
Goulet led a restructuring plan to attempt to keep the Ontario Northland intact and in public hands after the government backed off on its initial plan to sell off all the assets following a damning report by the provincial auditor general that would have cost Ontario taxpayers millions more to sell off the ONTC than would have been saved through its divestment.
The province continues to operate the motor coach and rail freight divisions, the Polar Bear Express passenger service to Moosonee, and the North Bay rail car refurbishment shops as a Crown agency. However, the telecommunications division, Ontera, was recently sold off Bell Aliant.
Goulet added there are no quick fixes to steer the Ontario Northland through this transitional phase.
“We need to refocus on our core transportation services and become more efficient across the organization – only then can we provide the company and the region with a sustainable new version of this venerable and important agency.”
Goulet assumed the reins of Ontario Northland in July, 2010. He replaced Steve Carmichael who retired after a 28-year career.
Goulet worked as chief information officer with Ontera before being appointed its vice president and general manager in 2006. Previously, he was director/chief information officer for Deloitte Consulting Outsourcing in Washington, D.C., principal consultant with Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP in Washington and Toronto, and was president-CEO of 1st Facilities Group in Toronto.
John Vanthof, the NDP MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane, extended well wishes to Goulet for his leadership during a “turbulent time,” adding that his departure leaves a “void in the management at a crucial juncture for the ONTC.”
He then proceeded to bash the Liberal government for its “gross mismanagement” of the ONTC file that “created chaos for Northerners.”
“New Democrats are calling on the government to recall the Ministerial Advisory Committee, to appoint commission members who Northerners know and respect, and implement a plan that ensures the long-term success of Northern Ontario's development road.”
