Release:

TORONTO APRIL l9, 2012

MAYORS OF THE NORTHERN COMMUNITIES WORKING GROUP PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTED IN OUTCOME OF MEETING WITH MINISTER BARTOLUCCI REGARDING DIVESTATURE OF ONTC

Today, the Mayors of the Northern Communities Working Group met with Mr. Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines to discuss the Government’s recent announcement relating to the divestiture of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission. The Minister made it very clear that the decision to divest the ONTC has been made. When asked about his view, the Minister said: “I support the government in this decision to divest”. There is, without question, a complete disconnect from the needs of the people of Northeastern Ontario and the policy direction the McGuinty government is taking in regard to the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission.

A decade ago, Mr. McGuinty signed a pledge to never divest the ONTC.

He was right to do so then and he is wrong to breach that contract now.

“The Ontario Northland is an essential cornerstone of Northern Ontario’s economic and transportation infrastructure. The privatization of the ONTC will result in local jobs being lost; Privatization will not guarantee local jobs. Once sold, the government will have no control over which jobs are moved out of the North or lost altogether; Therefore I will guarantee the people of Nipissing that my government will not approve or allow the privatization of the ONTC; and I further guarantee that my government will not permit any restructuring plan to go forward that relocates jobs out of Northern Ontario or eliminates transportation services provided by the ONTC.”

That was what his pledge said and it was called:

“Saving jobs, protecting our future in the north: A contract with the people of Nipissing”

We intend to hold the Premier to his word and we expect him to fulfill his contract with the people of Nipissing and across the northeast of Ontario.

We understand times and circumstances change.

As municipal politicians and engaged citizens, we understand the fluid nature of economics and the impacts that economic change can bring.

We also understand this Liberal government is struggling with ongoing fiscal issues that are not entirely of their own making, but punishing the north and selling off the ONTC provides no long-term solutions in regard to the deficit.

We appreciate the meeting we had with Mr. Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, but we still request a meeting with the Premier so he can look us in the eyes and tell us why he is taking this direction.
We heard nothing of substance today.

We asked today, that the divestiture process announced by Mr. Bartolucci on March 23 be paused; that the municipalities and other stakeholders be fully and completely consulted; that the stakeholders be given the opportunity to consider options and alternatives; and that Mr. McGuinty come to the north and explain to northerners why he is breaking his pledge of 2002 and turning his back on the laudable northern initiatives his government proposed in their own Northern Growth Plan.

The time is now for decisions affecting the north to be made with the full consultation and cooperation of northerners.
The Minister today wanted to provide a history lesson, but as stated earlier, times change and we want to discuss the future.

In today’s meeting, it became very evident that the government has no plan in place which addresses the situation beyond the simple decision to divest. They have not contemplated the grave impact on individuals, on businesses, on communities, or on the entire region of North Eastern Ontario.

With more than one hundred years of proud and productive service to the Province, at a minimum, the ONTC and the professional and skilled workers they employ deserve better than the treatment they are currently receiving from the McGuinty government.

We want a new deal for Ontario Northland and we want to be involved in all decisions.

Tom Laughren
Mayor, City of Timmins

Peter Politis
Mayor, Town of Cochrane

Al McDonald
Mayor, City of North Bay


Al Spacek
Mayor, Town of Kapuskasing
President of FONOM


Gilles Forget
Mayor, Town of Iroquois Fall

By: Jessica Castonguay

Every year, Timmins builds up on it’s historical moments and this year is the 100th anniversary.

In celebration, the city has invited Canadian singer and songwriter, Jim Cuddy and former NHL player Kraig Nenhuis to star at the concert.

Concert Chairman, Alan Richardson says, Nenhuis will start off the event as the opening act.

The concert will take place at the MacIntyre Arena on May 31th at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are currently being sold at Boston Pizza, Timmins City Hall, Police Services building or online at www.timmins100.com

By: Christina Hajjar

People in Timmins are giving away their hearts.

They’re also giving lungs, livers, eyes and tissue.

Norther Ontario has the highest rates of registered organ donors in the province with 45% of Timmins residents carrying a donor card.

President and CEO of Trillium Gift Of Life said she is really proud of our city.

“You’ve done so well, but you can go after North Bay who is at 47% and be Ontario’s first community to be at 50%” She said.

She added in almost all cases family and loved ones would consent to organ donation if they have proof it’s what you would have wanted. If you don’t have a donor card, only 50% will consent.

Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb Matthews said it’s important to spread the word.

“Becoming a registered organ and tissue donor takes less than three minutes and can save up to eight lives. I encourage Ontarians, health care organizations, clubs, families and businesses large and small to set up a page for the Gift of 8 Movement and share it through their social networks to encourage more people to register as organ donors and save more lives.”

To register to be an organ donor visit www.beadonor.ca

Quick Facts

-April 22-28 is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week.


-Ontario’s overall organ and tissue donor registration rate has risen slightly since this time last year, reaching 21 per cent.

-In April, there were 1,499 Ontarians on the organ donation wait list, 29 of these patients were under the age of 19.

-Last year, 222 deceased organ donors contributed to 985 lives being saved through organ transplantation and over 1,700 tissue donors enhanced lives of thousands of patients.

-Among Ontario communities with a population of more than 20,000, only five have a registration rate over 40 per cent. (Thunder Bay, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and Owen Sound).

-Communities with a registration rate less than 10 per cent were all in the Greater Toronto Area (Scarborough, Unionville, the old city of York, Woodbridge and Vaughan).

-You can register consent through your smartphone at beadonor.ca and ServiceOntario’s mobile friendly organ donor registry site.

By: Christina Hajjar

We may not have a superman, but our region is full of unsung heroes.

That’s why Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is asking you to nominate someone you think is deserving of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Angus said it doesn’t necessarily have to be someone well known in the community.

“Some of these people being recommended aren’t the people you necessarily you see their picture in the newspaper, aren’t necessarily the ones who have been given the big awards in the past, but they are the ones who are out there, doing the heavy volunteer work, that people don’t even realize how much work their doing because it’s what they do naturally.” He said.

He adds a committee will be reviewing the nominations to ensure there is a good balance of recipients.

A total of 30 medals will be handed out in our area. To be nominated the person has to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and must have made a significant contribution to the region.

Angus anticipates the medals should be awarded by late fall or early winter.

To nominate your unsung hero fill out the nomination form found HERE

Then submit the form to the office of Charlie Angus at 60 Wilson Street, suite 202, Timmins, Ontario P4N 2S7

By: Jessica Castonguay

People as far Sudbury will be attending the 65th annual Sportman show this weekend at the McIntyre Arena.

This years show will have over 200 booths ranging from gardening tools, food venders and hunting/camping equipment. There is also an addition of a fan expo with stars from the latest film star wars and from the original movie of Dukes of Hazzrd.

Event Chaiman, John Mcauley says, his goal is to break last years record of 15 thousand people who attended the event.

The show start at 10 a.m to 9 p.m. this Saturday and for Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By Tom Parisi

The last goal he ever scored won the Toronto Maple Leafs the cup, and they didn’t win the cup until 1962, the year he was discovered.

The famous lyrics from the Tragically Hip song, “50 mission cap” immortalized the Bill Barilko story, and so has the Timmins Museum and National Exhibition Centre.

The crew responsible for bringing home the wreck, has donated parts to the museum to be viewed by the public.

Curator Karen Bachman said, they can finally tell the whole story of Barilko and Dr. Henry Hudson’s final journey.

“We’re really pleased they decided to donate the pieces of the plane and with any luck we can better explain to locals and anyone else of their tragic disapearance.”

“I think this story has fallen into the mythology of Canada, and many small towns, like ours help contribute to that.”

The pieces of the plane and a memorial can be seen at the Timmins Museum and National Exhibition Centre seven days a week.

By Tom Parisi

With winter making a brief comeback this week, the OPP are keeping busy.

The OPP say a total of 10 collision, as a result of poor driving conditions, occured between Tuesday and Wednesday.

While most of the collision only included minor injuries, police are reminding drivers to use their best judgement when driving in icy or extreme conditions.

By Tom Parisi

With winter making a brief comeback this week, the OPP are keeping busy.

The OPP say a total of 10 collision, as a result of poor driving conditions, occured between Tuesday and Wednesday.

While most of the collision only included minor injuries, police are reminding drivers to use their best judgement when driving in icy or extreme conditions.

By: Christina Hajjar

Change is coming to the Ministry of Natural Resource.

If the provincial budget passes next week, the MNR will set into motion a three year transformation plan.

In an open letter, the Hon. Michael Gravelle said the changes will be made to ensure the ministry is financially sustainable while keeping true to it’s core values.

He added the ministry plans to include stake holders and the public in the decision making.

Here is the open letter in full:

MNR Transformation Plan will help us serve Ontarians better

Michael Gravelle

Minister of Natural Resources

As Minister of Natural Resources, I have the tremendous privilege of leading a ministry with a long and respected history of protecting our province’s valued natural resources. For ministry staff, their work is not just a job – it’s a passion.

That’s why I’m excited about the opportunity we now have to deliver on our mandate in a way that serves Ontarians better – a transformation plan that was introduced in the 2012 Budget.

Why is this plan so necessary?

Over the years, and with the best of intentions, we’ve created processes that take too long and cost too much to administer. Ontarians – from homeowners planning work on their property to forestry companies creating jobs to community groups helping protect endangered species – have told us that our rules and processes don’t work for them.

At the same time, we have a responsibility to contribute to the government’s commitment to balancing the budget by 2017-18 – and to put the ministry on a sustainable financial footing.

MNR’s three-year transformation plan proposes a series of legislative amendments that, if passed, would help us achieve key parts of that plan.

Through this transformation plan, we envision:

• streamlined permitting and licensing processes to help individuals and businesses access services faster and more efficiently

• a shift toward regional rather than local service delivery, while maintaining a strong field presence across the province


• a more strategic approach to partnerships, with funding aligned to core ministry priorities

• redesigned science and information functions with a focus on broader ecosystems rather than individual species.

I know some groups are concerned that transformation may change my ministry’s commitment to protecting our natural resources. I want to assure our stakeholders – and all Ontarians – that’s not going to happen, and I encourage anyone with concerns to sit down with us as we shape the details of our plan.

Our commitment to our core principles and priorities – fish and wildlife, endangered species protection, forestry, Crown land management, water, parks and protected areas, non-renewable resources, and public safety – is unwavering. And we will continue to use the best available science to inform our decision-making.

We have an ambitious plan, and while I recognize the challenges ahead, I know we’ve set the right course. I’m eager to get started, and if the budget is passed, I look forward to engaging our stakeholders in a thoughtful dialogue about continuing the ministry’s proud tradition of protecting our province’s natural resources.

By Tom Parisi

If the upcoming provincial budget passes, all of Northern Ontario could be at a loss without the ONTC.

Mayors accross the north are uniting to meet with Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci, this Thursday to try and change his mind.

Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren said there are four main points bartolucci needs to hear.

“Stopping the process in light there has been to consultation to transparency, it’s contrary to the northern gorth plan, we want to be informed in the decision making and there have been no discussion about the future of the ONTC or future opportunites regarding Northern Ontario.”

Cochrane Mayor Peter Politis said, this could have a much bigger impact on of matters than job loss or mine closures.

“You take away the rail that means you add more cars to the roads and we add more lanes. We’re going in the opposite direction, we’re not minimizing the carbon footprint, we’re increasing it and that’s what we don’t understand.”

“In Cochrane alone, we could lose 154 jobs and possibly the income from the Polar Bear express, which is currently subsidized by the Ontario Government.”

The mayors will meet with Minister Bartolucci on Thursday at Queen’s Park