NORTH BAY, ON, March 7, 2013 /CNW/ - Representatives from the General
Chairperson's Association (GCA) which represents all unionized
employees at Ontario Northland (ONTC) are pleased that the Standing
Committee on Public Accounts has directed the Auditor General to review
the Ontario Government's divestment of the ONTC.
"We have said from day one that the decision to sell off the ONTC did
not make sense and we appreciate the all-party committee support in
passing this directive to the Auditor General to review this decision",
said GCA Spokesperson Brian Kelly.
"The numbers the Government are using to support their decision to
divest are based on a one year anomaly. The government has purposely
amalgamated their pension obligations, investment in passenger rail
coaches, infrastructure and the acquisition of Sault PUC to
deliberately magnify the contributions to services provided in order to
justify their decision to shut down valuable services to Northerners
and sell off all assets in a fire sale", added Kelly.
"Given the involvement of the provincial Auditor General, we believe
that the government is obligated to pause the divestiture process
including the contemplated sale of ONTERA. This will also provide a
window for Minister Gravelle's Stakeholder Committee to fully and
properly review all options for the ONTC including the all in New Deal
proposal for Northern Ontario. We are confident that review will
demonstrate clearly that working with First Nations, north
eastern/north western Communities, industry, Federal Government and
stakeholder representatives including the GCA, that all policy
objectives of government for the north can be met within the New Deal
proposal ensuring social and economic long-term prosperity for the
region", concluded Kelly
SOURCE: General Chairperson's Association (GCA)
