NEWS RELEASE Vanthof and Bisson Speak Out Regarding ONTC Communiqué Open Letter to the People of Northern

John Vanthof May 16, 2013 MPP/Deputé

Timiskaming-Cochrane Since the March 2012 McGuinty Government announcement to

divest the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC); New Liskeard Office/Bureau 247 Whitewood Ave., Box 398 people across the north have been galvanized in a fight to save Pinewoods Centre, Unit 5 the railway, bus services, refurbishment shop and New Liskeard, ON P0J 1P0 telecommunications components of ONTC. Phone: (705) 647-5995 Toll Free: 1-888-701-1105 Fax: (705) 647-1976 Customers relying on services, loyal employees, Mayors of Email/Courriel: municipalities across the North, MPP’s & MP’s along with many [email protected] other Northerners have worked together to show the Liberal Government that selling off the ONTC is a bad decision; not just Office/Bureau for the North but for everyone in Ontario. It has been a long and 30 Second Street East sometimes angry battle but it appears that positive change has 2nd Floor, Eastwing Kirkland Lake, ON P2N 3H7 been realized.

Phone: (705) 567-4650

Toll Free: 1-800-461-2186 , Minister of Northern Development and Mines Fax: (705) 567-4208 has signaled a shift in the government’s position regarding the Email/Courriel: [email protected] future of the ONTC. The Ministerial Advisory Committee created to provide input to the Government regarding the ONTC will now Sturgeon Falls Office/Bureau be allowed to explore options and alternatives other than 193 King Street, 2nd Floor divestment. This welcomed shift in position is a direct result of Sturgeon Falls, ON P2B 1R8 Phone: (705) 753-0200 pressure applied on the Government by Northerners working Fax: (705) 753-0800 together for a common goal. Email/Courriel [email protected] While the government’s directional change is a positive move,

Matheson, Iroquois Falls, divestment remains on the table but it’s now an option instead of Cochrane Office/Bureau a predetermined outcome. The Ministerial Advisory Committee Mobile: (705) 288-1788 has been given a stronger mandate and we believe the Email/Courriel: committee’s membership must be expanded to include [email protected] representation from other major stakeholders, including ONTC

employees. For ONTC, the status quo is not an option so it’s imperative that the committee has the benefit of knowledge and Working for you in experience from all sides of the agency. Timiskaming-Cochrane!

Travailler pour vous dans Once again, Northerners have shown that solidarity can change Timiskaming-Cochrane! the direction of government and we pledge to continue to work with all the stakeholders to build a stronger Ontario Northland.

- , MPP Timiskaming-Cochrane & , MPP -James Bay