Courtesy www.developingthenorth.com
By Tom Parisi
With news of the provincial budget passing, political groups in north are not impressed with MPP Gilles Bisson.
Although the NDP managed to tag on a surtax for the rich, little was done to avoid the divesture of the ONTC, which could leave many businesses in the north in dark and cost many people their jobs.
President of the Timmins-James Bay Riding Association Marcel Pelchat said, he’s disappointed with the way the day went down.
“The people of Timmins-James Bay and the businesses that depend on the ONTC to stay open and keep Northerners working needed action today from their MPP, we are sorely disappointed.”
Bisson was quick to defend his parties actions during question period saying, the NDP will do everything in their power to keep the ONTC in the hands of the people of Northern Ontario.
Meanwhile, northern mayors are bracing for hard times.
Mayors from Timmins to North Bay will be in a conference call Wednesday to hammer out a contingency plan incase the ONTC disappears for good.
Timmins mayor Tom Laughren says, no matter the outcome they won’t give up the fight.”
“We still want to be part of the process going forward and present a sustainable and affordable idea if we can agree on one.”
The divesture of the ONTC was presented on March 27th and has being stiring concerns from municipalities to First Nations groups across Northern Ontario