DOCSLIB.ORG

February 11, 2013 Hon. Michael Gravelle Minister

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
February 11, 2013 Hon. Michael Gravelle Minister February 11, 2013 Hon. Michael Gravelle Minister of Northern Development and Mines Room 5630, 5 th Floor, Whitney Block Toronto, Ontario M7A 1W3 Dear Minister: First, let me congratulate you on your new cabinet portfolio. I have always enjoyed working with you Minister, and look forward to meeting with you soon, to discuss MNDM issues regarding my riding. First, I need to make it perfectly clear that I do not support your government’s fire sale of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, and offer my following thoughts. This past summer, my colleague Norm Miller (MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka and Ontario PC Northern Development and Mines Critic) and I travelled 1,600 km and held ONTC consultations in seven Northern communities: Englehart, Timmins, Iroquois Falls, Cochrane, Kapuskasing, Hearst, and North Bay. During these consultations, the message we heard loud and clear was that businesses are not expanding and hiring because they have no idea what will come of this chaos. In fact one multi- national told us they cancelled their planned $10 million expansion because they didn’t know if they would have a viable way to ship their products next year. The complete lack of faith in the current Liberal government was extraordinary. It’s clear this government has no plan, and business and municipal leaders are angry they weren’t consulted. Our consultations revealed that you should: Ensure Ontario Northland’s RAIL FREIGHT division remain publicly owned. Selling off this asset is simply impractical. The ham-fisted handling of the sale of this 100-year old provincial crown agency has devalued the assets and already cost jobs and investment in the North. Your government lost the trust and goodwill of local communities and their business and municipal leaders. Minister -- please restore that trust by implementing our plan. For the Ontario PC Party, it all starts with jobs. Critical economic infrastructure like the ONTC is the foundation of Northern job creation, and the way this government is treating it has cut the legs out from underneath this part of our economy. That’s why I’m asking you today to halt any plans to sell Ontario Northland’s rail freight division. (more) My party believes Ontario Northland rail freight is strategically-critical infrastructure to economic development and private sector job creation in the North, and thus must remain publicly owned. One approach is the New Deal for Ontario Northland, which proposes a publicly-owned rail transportation solution for the vital Ring of Fire mining development. It is my firm belief that the best way to transport ore is by rail. We cannot afford any more delays on this file and I urge you to quickly come to a decision and then implement a strong course of action to start mining activity in the Ring of Fire. In addition, if you plan to continue with the fire sale of Ontario Northland, you can minimize the damage done by: o replacing the government’s ham-fisted fire sale of the ONTC with a Strategic Asset Review of all ONTC assets, operations, and services, including: Full consultation with Northern municipal and business leaders; all decisions based on a clear-eyed view of what makes money, what doesn’t, and whether or not the government should be in this business. Our lens for every decision must be private-sector job creation in the Northeast; and, allowing the union to compete for any service or privatization; o transferring the ONTC from the Ministry of Northern Development to the Ministry of Transportation, where it would have greater access to the capital envelope and be treated as an integral part of the province’s transportation network; and o appointing an ONTC board of directors based on transportation and business expertise, not patronage. You have a responsibility to ensure that all residents of this province, including those in Northern Ontario, have an equal opportunity to succeed and prosper. But this chaotic fire sale of Ontario Northland has already cost jobs and investment in the region and urgent action is required on your part to prevent further damage. I’m available at your convenience and request the opportunity to discuss this issue with you in person. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Vic Fedeli MPP Nipissing CC: Norm Miller MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka and PC Northern Development Critic .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • [email protected] / [email protected]
    April 16, 2019 Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy President of the Treasury Board Via email: [email protected] / [email protected] Honourable Greg Rickford Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines, and Indigenous Affairs Via email: [email protected] / [email protected] Dear Honourable Ministers: Ensuring Provincial procurement policies provide best value to regional communities. In order to directly engage the Provincial Government on policy issues of interest to our region, the Chambers of Commerce in Sudbury, Timmins, Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay and Thunder Bay wish to highlight our concerns around the Provincial Government’s recent announcement of a major initiative to consolidate and centralize procurement spending within Ontario Public Service and broader public sector agencies. Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP), or public-private partnerships, are a highly viable option for risk sharing on major infrastructure projects and should remain a priority across Ontario. However, concerns expressed about the impacts to local small- and medium-sized businesses as a result of a centralized purchasing model are of significant concern to Northern communities. We are advocating against a centralized Greater Toronto Area (GTA) model as we believe that regionalized procurement efforts can deliver similar cost savings, while retaining, and controlling public spending within a region. We strongly believe that a GTA based buying model puts Northern businesses at a disadvantage and impedes the ability to build capacity throughout the province. To provide a regional example, the Lakehead Purchasing Consortium in Thunder Bay has a local award track-record in the 90 percent range, successfully demonstrating support for regional businesses while attaining cost savings through spend consolidation.
    [Show full text]
  • Town of Bracebridge Council Correspondence
    {GIXD1\ Town of Bracebridge ~ BRACEBRIDGE Council Correspondence The Heart of Muskoka TO: Mayor G. Smith and Members of Town Council J. Sisson, Chief Administrative Officer COPY: Management Team Media FROM: L. McDonald, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk DATE: June 24, 2020 CIRCULATION: Item # Description SECTION “A” – STAFF INFORMATION MEMOS: A1 Nil. SECTION “B” – GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: Correspondence from Diane Kennedy, Director, and Paul Sisson, President, Muskoka Pioneer B1 Power Association, dated March 5, 2020, regarding Former Bracebridge Retired Firefighters Association Building and Property at J.D. Lang Activity Park. Correspondence from Christopher Abram, Chair, Board of Directors, St. John Ambulance – B2 Barrie-Simcoe-Muskoka Branch, dated June 15, 2020 regarding Proclaiming St. John Ambulance Week – June 21-27th, 2020. Resolution from Cheryl Mortimer, Clerk, Township of Muskoka Lakes, dated June 15, 2020, B3 regarding High Speed Internet Connectivity in Rural Ontario. Resolution from Carrie Sykes, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk, Township of Lake of Bays, B4 dated June 17, 2020, regarding High Speed Internet Connectivity in Rural Ontario. Resolution from Carrie Sykes, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk, Township of Lake of Bays, B5 dated June 17, 2020, regarding Basic Income for Income Security during COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond. Resolution from Jerri-Lynn Levitt, Deputy Clerk, Council and Legislative Services, Municipality B6 of Grey Highlands, dated June 18, 2020, regarding Universal Basic Income. Resolution from Jeanne Harfield, Clerk, Municipality of Mississippi Mills, dated June 19, 2020, B7 regarding Support for Rural Broadband. Correspondence from Todd Coles, City Clerk, City of Vaughan, dated June 22, 2020, B8 regarding The Establishment of a Municipal Financial Assistance Program to Offset the Financial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
    [Show full text]
  • Hicks Is Ensconced on a Comfy Couch in the Stanhope the Staff Is Unsure About Him
    FREE Circulation TheHighlander 5,000 Thursday 15 March 2012 | Issue 23 Haliburton County’s Independent Newspaper MNR battle lines drawn Petition against changes to Clear Lake reserve making its way to Minister of Natural Resoures and MPP By George Farrell Talk has turned into action after a recent public meeting to address concerns over the MNR’s proposal for the Clear Lake Conservation Reserve. As a result of the Saturday, March 10 meeting held at a packed West Guilford Recreation Centre, a petition with 112 signatures will be sent to local MPP Laurie Scott, the Minister of Natural Resources Michael Gravelle and his Deputy Minister. Back on February 9, the MNR announced in a Preliminary Managements Statement that they were expanding the 1,307 hectare Clear Lake Conservation Reserve and creating more restrictions for the use of the area. These restrictions included: prohibiting the use of existing logging trails for motorized recreational use, prohibiting the use of cached boats and canoes on remote lakes, prohibiting the grooming of existing trails for skiing and snow shoeing and effectively prohibiting trail maintenance for most of the remaining users. On February 12, three days after that announcement, the MNR called an open house meeting for February 16 at the Stanhope Firefighters Community Centre. Due to the short notice, a small group of landowners and users attended the Ten-year-old Glen Bagg contemplates life and granite. He was the youngest curler at the fourth annual Curl for Care meeting. Bonspiel at the Haliburton Curling Club last Saturday, March 10. Photo by Terrance Gavan.
    [Show full text]
  • FOCA Supports the Xplornet Fibre Proposal for Central And
    Via email to [email protected] August 18, 2020 Hon. Laurie Scott Minister of Infrastructure 5th Floor, 777 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M7A 2J3 Dear Minister Scott, On behalf of Ontario’s rural and northern waterfront property owners (WPO) we are writing in support of Xplornet’s proposal to the Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program regarding the company’s substantial broadband infrastructure project for central and northeastern Ontario. In 2018, FOCA undertook a research initiative, Waterfront Property Owners and Rural Economic Development ( https://foca.on.ca/waterfront-property-owners-and-rural-economic- development/ ); the study speaks to the opportunity of having WPO contribute to and support the local economy. It also confirmed the grim reality that access to reliable high-speed Internet is the number one barrier to a greater economic role of these families, many of whom are multi- generational residents who have significant interest and capacity to contribute to the economy in rural and northern communities. The study also helped to articulate the significance of waterfront property owners (WPO) as vital economic contributors to our rural communities. Xplornet’s project will build 2,650 km of new fibre across the province, adding 66 new wireless tower sites and 192 new wireless micro sites, most of which will be directly connected to the fibre network. Once completed, this project will enable over 170,000 residents across Ontario to enjoy affordable and accessible wireless services of 100 Megabits per second with unlimited data. The past months have demonstrated the importance of connectivity, especially for rural Canadians. The post-pandemic recovery offers the long overdue opportunity to provide the necessary tools for rural Canada’s success in the digital economy.
    [Show full text]
  • GBHU BOH Motion 2019-21
    May 6, 2019 The Honourable Christine Elliott Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care College Park, 5th Floor 777 Bay Street Toronto ON M7A2J3 The Honourable Lisa MacLeod Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Hepburn Block, 6th Floor 80 Grosvenor Street Toronto ON M7A1E9 Re: Support for Bill 60 On April 26, 2019 at a regular meeting of the Board for the Grey Bruce Health Unit, the Board considered the attached correspondence from Peterborough Public Health urging the passing of Bill 60 as an important step towards fiscal responsibility and to address health inequalities. The following motion was passed: GBHU BOH Motion 2019-21 Moved by: Anne Eadie Seconded by: Sue Paterson “THAT, the Board of Health support the correspondence from Peterborough Public Health urging the passing of Bill 60” Carried Sincerely, Mitch Twolan Chair, Board of Health Grey Bruce Health Unit Encl. Cc: The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario Local MP’s and MPP’s Association of Local Public Health Agencies Ontario Boards of Health Working together for a healthier future for all.. 101 17th Street East, Owen Sound, Ontario N4K 0A5 www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca 519-376-9420 1-800-263-3456 Fax 519-376-0605 BOH - CORRESPONDENCE - 17 Jackson Square, 185 King Street, Peterborough, ON K9J 2R8 P: 705-743-1000 or 1-877-743-0101 F: 705-743-2897 peterboroughpublichealth.ca Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and the County and City of Peterborough Serving the residents of Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations, and
    [Show full text]
  • Historic Ruling 1885 Favours 2003 the Métis MNO President Lipinski Pleased with Decision
    IssueISSUE No.N O78,. 75, M IDWINTERSPRING 2013 2013 Manitoba Métis Federation v. Canada Historic ruling 1885 favours 2003 the Métis MNO President Lipinski pleased with decision he lobby of the Supreme Court and rights amid concern of encroaching Louisof Canada building in Ottawa Canadian settlement. was crackling with excitement The federal government, however, dis- as Métis from across the home- tributed the land through a random lottery; land gathered there the morning as a result the Métis became a landless of March 8, 2013, to learn the aboriginal people, with few Métis receiving Supreme Court of Canada deci- what they had been promised. Tsion concerning Manitoba Metis Feder- When the case finally reached the ation v. Canada (the “MMF case”). Supreme Court in December 2011, the The MMF case represented over 140 Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) obtained years of Canadian history and Métis had intervener status in order to offerDay its support — Continued on page 10 waited a long time for its resolution. It and to ensure that the voice of Ontario had gone through almost Métis was heard in this every legal& hurdle POW imagi- LEY ANNIVERSARYimportant case. The MNO EVENTS nable andRiel taken over 30 “After our long hunt was represented at the years to reach the Supreme for justice in the Supreme Court by Jean Court. The case was based Teillet, the Métis lawyer 2013 landmark Powley on the claim that Canada case, we knew it was who, 10 years earlier, rep- breached its fiduciary and important for us resented Steve Powley at constitutional obligations the Supreme Court and owing to the Manitoba to be here at the who is the great niece of Métis by failing to fulfill Supreme Court.” Louis Riel.
    [Show full text]
  • November 2001
    Canadian Political Science Association BULLETIN Association canadienne de science politique Volume XXX:2 November/novembre 2001 Contents / Sommaire President's Remarks / Le mot du président....................................................................... 1 Rapport du congrès annuel de l'ACSP / Report on the annual meeting of the CPSA (2001)...................................................................................................... 3 PETER H. RUSSELL, Doing Aboriginal Politics ................................................................. 7 HENRY JACEK, From Political Analyst to Political Practitioner ..................................... 11 ROBERT J. WILLIAMS, Ontario Legislative Internship Programme: Annual Report, 2000-2001......................................................................................... 15 Director's Report, Fall 2001....................................................................................... 17 Around the Departments / Les nouvelles des départements........................................... 18 Academic Positions Available / Offres d'emploi............................................................ 31 Calls for Papers / Appels de manuscrits ......................................................................... 36 PETER MEEKISON, CPSA Trust Fund / Fonds de prévoyance ACSP ............................... 41 Annonces diverses / Other Notices................................................................................. 42 publisher/éditeur Association canadienne de science politique
    [Show full text]
  • Weathering the Snowstorm: Representing Northern Ontario By
    Weathering the Snowstorm: Representing Northern Ontario By Lauren Tarasuk 2012-13 Intern This paper is a draft and is not for attribution or distribution Ontario Legislature Internship Programme (OLIP) 1303A Whitney Block Queen’s Park Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A2 Phone: 416-885-1208 [email protected] www.olipinterns.ca Paper presented at the 2013 Annual meeting of the Canadian Political Science Association Victoria, British Columbia Thursday, June 6th, 2012. Weathering the Snowstorm: Representing Northern Ontario Introduction: The Region of Northern Ontario At different times throughout Ontario’s history, both northern constituents and their Members of Provincial Parliament have debated whether the North is truly getting its fair share. Northern Ontario is different from the rest of the province in terms of its geography, economy, and political culture. Feelings of existing on the proverbial periphery of political decision making are compounded with its literal distance from the provincial legislature. Distance has left the North operating under a shroud of mystery to many, with periodic interest into the politics of the region by province wide-media. Northerners have expressed feelings of being ignored by their provincial legislature since confederation, which has led to a lingering sentiment of alienation. These differences separate Northern Ontario from the rest of the province, and set a distinctive political climate. The politics of Northern Ontario are unique, and have been acknowledged differently by Ontario Provincial Parliaments, most recently in a minority setting. This paper will explore the experience of Northern Members of Provincial Parliament in the Ontario legislature, and the unique trials and tribulations that come with representing the region.
    [Show full text]
  • Ontario Government Quick Reference Guide: Key Officials and Opposition Critics August 2014
    Ontario Government Quick Reference Guide: Key Officials and Opposition Critics August 2014 Ministry Minister Chief of Staff Parliamentary Assistant Deputy Minister PC Critic NDP Critic Hon. David Aboriginal Affairs Milton Chan Vic Dhillon David de Launay Norm Miller Sarah Campbell Zimmer Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs Hon. Jeff Leal Chad Walsh Arthur Potts Deb Stark Toby Barrett N/A Hon. Lorenzo Berardinetti; Sylvia Jones (AG); Jagmeet Singh (AG); Attorney General / Minister responsible Shane Madeleine Marie-France Lalonde Patrick Monahan Gila Martow France Gélinas for Francophone Affairs Gonzalves Meilleur (Francophone Affairs) (Francophone Affairs) (Francophone Affairs) Granville Anderson; Alexander Bezzina (CYS); Jim McDonell (CYS); Monique Taylor (CYS); Children & Youth Services / Minister Hon. Tracy Omar Reza Harinder Malhi Chisanga Puta-Chekwe Laurie Scott (Women’s Sarah Campbell responsible for Women’s Issues MacCharles (Women’s Issues) (Women’s Issues) Issues) (Women’s Issues) Monte Kwinter; Cristina Citizenship, Immigration & International Hon. Michael Christine Innes Martins (Citizenship & Chisanga Puta-Chekwe Monte McNaughton Teresa Armstrong Trade Chan Immigration) Cindy Forster (MCSS) Hon. Helena Community & Social Services Kristen Munro Soo Wong Marguerite Rappolt Bill Walker Cheri DiNovo (LGBTQ Jaczek Issues) Matthew Torigian (Community Community Safety & Correctional Hon. Yasir Brian Teefy Safety); Rich Nicholls (CSCS); Bas Balkissoon Lisa Gretzky Services / Government House Leader Naqvi (GHLO – TBD) Stephen Rhodes (Correctional Steve Clark (GHLO) Services) Hon. David Michael Government & Consumer Services Chris Ballard Wendy Tilford Randy Pettapiece Jagmeet Singh Orazietti Simpson Marie-France Lalonde Wayne Gates; Economic Development, Employment & Hon. Brad (Economic Melanie Wright Giles Gherson Ted Arnott Percy Hatfield Infrastructure Duguid Development); Peter (Infrastructure) Milczyn (Infrastructure) Hon. Liz Education Howie Bender Grant Crack George Zegarac Garfield Dunlop Peter Tabuns Sandals Hon.
    [Show full text]
  • Progress Continues on Sienna's New North Bay Care Community
    Progress Continues on Sienna’s New North Bay Care Community Premier and Minister of Long-Term Care visit site of future home of New Long-Term Care Community July 5, 2021 at 10am EST MARKHAM, Ontario, July 5, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Sienna Senior Living leaders hosted Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, Rod Phillips, Minister of Long-Term Care, and Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing and Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, at the site of its future long-term care home to be constructed in North Bay, Ontario. Located on the site of the former St. Joseph’s General Hospital, the new care community will eventually replace Sienna’s existing care home community in North Bay, Waters Edge Care Community. The new care community will be comprised of five unique home areas, in a building designed to the newest industry standards, including infection prevention and control considerations, in-room air conditioning, and flexible activity spaces, all within a home-like setting where residents can enjoy the best quality of life. The care community will feature a total of 160 beds once complete. “It is both a great privilege and great responsibility to care for and serve Canada’s seniors, ensuring they live with the utmost comfort, dignity and respect,” said Sienna President and CEO Nitin Jain. “Sienna has been working hard to ensure this new site will be a great resource and community asset to the people of North Bay. My thanks to the Government of Ontario and to the City of North Bay for all their work and support on this project.
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Thunder Bay Convocation Program
    FORTY-NINTH CONVOCATION 2013 Thunder Bay Campus Lakehead University Convocation 2013 Lakehead University’s forty-ninth convocation for the University degree. Lakehead University’s bachelor’s and conferring of degrees and diplomas is being celebrated master’s degree hoods are distinguished by a one or on Friday, May 31, 2013 and Saturday, June 1, 2013 two inch colour border which indicates the degree at our Thunder Bay campus and Saturday, June 8, acquired, e.g. white for Arts, gold for Science, blue for 2013 at our Orillia campus. Education, burgundy for Nursing, etc. Lakehead’s first PhD degree was conferred in 1998. The word “convocation” means “calling together.” It is a ceremonial meeting of the entire University In addition to “earned” degrees, the University confers community. On Convocation Day, University members “honorary” degrees which symbolize the highest honour and their guests wear special attire based on a tradition that can be conferred on an individual by the University. that dates back as long as seven centuries ago. The An honorary degree may be awarded in recognition of academic costume, also referred to as academic scholarly or creative achievements or distinguished public “dress” or “regalia,” had its origins in the medieval service to the country or region. They go to individuals European universities. The regalia were devised to who have been designated by the University’s Senate, distinguish academic persons as doctors, licentiates, its senior academic governing body, as deserving special masters, and bachelors. In the middle ages they were honour. At convocation the degree is awarded honoris worn as everyday attire.
    [Show full text]
  • PARTICIPATE in a RALLY NEAR YOU the Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) and CUPE Ontario Are Mobilizing to Restore Workers’ Rights
    PARTICIPATE IN A RALLY NEAR YOU The Ontario Council of Hospital Unions (OCHU) and CUPE Ontario are mobilizing to restore workers’ rights. Join a local rally at an MPP’s office near you to show your support for frontline workers and take a stand against the government’s abuse of power. Pembroke Rally | August 17 | 11:00am Fergus Rally | September 16 | 11:00am John Yakabuski Constituency Office Ted Arnott Constituency Office The Victoria Center 84 Isabella St., Unit 6 181 St. Andrew Street East, 2nd Floor Brockville Rally | August 18 | 11:00am Milton Rally | September 17 | 11:00am Steve Clark Constituency Office Parm Gill Constituency Office 100 Strowger Blvd., Suite 101 400 Main St. E, Unit 206 Cornwall Rally | August 19 | 11:00am Mississauga Rally | September 24 | 11:00am PC MPP Jim McDonell Constituency Office Deepak Anand Constituency Office Time Square, 120 Second St. W 7895 Tranmere Drive, Unit 11 Kenora Rally | August 27 | 11:00am Port Hope Rally | September 28 | 11:00am Greg Rickford Constituency Office David Piccini Constituency Office 300 McClellan Ave. East Room 117 Peter Street Fort Frances Rally | August 28 | 11:00am Peterborough Rally | September 29 | 11:00am Greg Rickford Constituency Office Dave Smith Constituency Office 279 Scott Street, Unit 1 1123 Water Street, Unit 4 Thunder Bay Rally | September 1 | 11:00am Bowmanville Rally | September 30 | 11:00am Michael Gravelle Constituency Office Lindsey Park Constituency Office 179 Algoma St. S 23 King St. W Sault Ste. Marie Rally | September 2 | 11:00am Lindsay Rally | October 1 | 11:00am Ross Romano Constituency Office Laurie Scott Constituency Office 390 Bay Street, Unit 102 14 Lindsay Street North Hanmer Rally | September 3 | 11:00am York Region Rally | October 5 | 11:00am France Gélinas Constituency Office Caroline Mulroney Constituency Office | 45 Grist Hanmer Valley Shopping Plaza 5085 Hwy.
    [Show full text]