Half-mast campaign

Municipally-owned facilities across the North are flying their flags at half mast to express opposition to the provincial government's plan to divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC).

They won't be raised until Premier Dalton McGuinty agrees to meet with the mayors.

“We need to meet with the premier,” said North Bay Mayor Al McDonald. “He hasn't even responded to our letters to say no and given us the courtesy of replying. It's very frustrating for us and is a total lack of respect for Northern Ontario.”

On March 23, the government announced in Sudbury that it would divest the ONTC due to stagnant ridership and its unsustainable financial path. Since then, northeastern mayors, ONTC unions, chambers of commerce and citizens have protested the decision.

“We will continue to fight,” McDonald said. “Lowering the flags at half mast was not taken lightly and it is a sign of the passion the Northern leaders have for Northern Ontario.

The Northern Communities Working Group, comprised of mayors from across the northeast, have been meeting regularly to discuss strategy.

“FONOM (Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities) has been saying for years that the status quo of the ONTC is not acceptable and even the unions have been saying that,” he said. “Our biggest concern is that this is just a straight fire sale of assets with no regard to job retention what so ever. The loss of these 1,000 jobs will have a severe impact in the northeast.”

The group has been working on a plan with the unions and if they get a chance to meet with the premier, they are prepared to make recommendations.

“I don't know if the government has considered job retention or if it is just going to pull up the tracks. There are indirect jobs to consider and the future loss of opportunity,” the mayor said.

The ONTC's transition board, which is to begin the divestment process, has not made any contact with the mayors. McDonald said they were promised to be briefed but that hasn't happened.

“We have heard absolutely zip. We believe this is a straight asset sale with no regard for job retention and I believe it is time for the board to tell the communities and Northern Ontario what their process is,” he said.

The group will continue to meet and a new website has been launched – www.nd4on.ca. The group will also continue to press for a meeting with the premier.

“We want the other two parties to stand up as well for the ONTC and for the men and women who work there.”

In North Bay alone, the loss of the 500 ONTC jobs would mean an annual loss of direct payroll of $25 million.

“When the auto industry was suffering they threw $500 million to a billion dollars to rescue it and they are talking about $50 million for us. Most public transportation is subsidized. The government subsidizes Metrolinx for $7 billion to $8 billion a year so it is unfair.

“And this is just one issue for the North. They are ignoring us now. They don't fund our colleges and universities per student like they do in southern Ontario so it is just a total disregard for the North,” McDonald said.

“The government's only concern is southern Ontario. It's time for the mayors and citizens of Northern Ontario to stand up.”