North's "New Deal"
North's "New Deal"
Ontario Northland employees unveil new plan
Diane Johnston
Speaker Reporter
NORTH BAY – Ontario Northland employees are pitching an idea that they say will save the agency's assets and stimulate the North's economy.
What they're calling a "New Deal for Northern Ontario" would see the creation of a James Bay and Lowlands Port Authority.
The authority would take over the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) operations, including rail lines, refurbishment shops and telecommunications.
It would also oversee new rail access to the mineral-rich Ring of Fire in the far North.
"It's innovative, it's exciting," said Brian Stevens, spokesperson for the General Chairperson's Association which represents ONTC unionized employees.
Nipising-Timiskaming Conservative MP Jay Aspin calls it "a brilliant idea."
PROMOTES
It promotes growth, job creation and long-term prosperity, said the Conservative MP in a telephone interview earlier this week.
It will also develop infrastructure in North, and use the Ring of Fire's mineral assets to pay for it, he said.
"And how good is that?"
In an interview earlier this week, Mr. Stevens said the idea began to take shape in the wake of the government's divestiture announcement in March.
The proposal, he said, permits the Ontario government to rid itself of the ONTC.
But it also satisfies provincial and federal desires to reach the Ring of Fire and develop infrastructure in the North, he said.
Supporters of the proposal were on hand when it was released at a new conference at North Bay City Hall late last week.
It represents new opportunities for First Nations people, said Leo Friday, deputy grand chief of Mushkegowuk Council which represents eight First Nations, in a statement.
"An important part of this will involve training and education so that aboriginal workers can gain access to the full range of future employment opportunities at Ring of Fire mines," Deputy Chief Friday said.
A James Bay and Lowlands Ports Trustee Corporation has been created, with former ONTC executive vice-president Roy Hains as chief executive officer.
Port authorities are shared-governance corporations that operate ports on behalf of the federal government.
The establishment of the James Bay authority would require federal approval.
MP Aspin was "very hopeful" of federal support, "because it means so much to not only my region but to Canada in general," he said.
A wide range of infrastructure can fall under a port authority, Mr. Stevens said.
He said it could spur development, just as the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway did a century ago.
"That's what happened then. That's what can happen now."
Port authorities are to be self-sustaining, and can issue bonds to raise funds, he said.
On the provincial side, he said, proponents can "leverage" the pensions, benefits and collective agreement provisions owing to employees.
The province will face costly severance packages and pension plan wrap-ups if the ONTC is wound down, he said.
"What we're saying is, ‘you know what that very large number is. We have a plan that, if you're interested, can relieve you of that very large number that you would otherwise have to pay out.'"
Nor would the province have to spend millions on a road to access the mining region, he said.
The port authority would, he said, expect the province to follow through with any subsidies it would have to offer private companies picking up ONTC services.
The project, he said, would require the re-installation of rail lines between Hearst and Nakina and then the construction of a 400-kilometre railway from Nakina north to Koper Lake and into the Ring of Fire.
It would provide much needed service to remote First Nation communities, he said.
PROPOSAL
It's proposed that the new port authority also oversee the inland port at Webequie, near Winisk River Provincial Park, and the James Bay port at Moosonee.
Much of the pre-engineering work has been done, and Canada Chrome, which holds mining rights in the area, has been supportive, he said.
The proposal is being sent to Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci and Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli this week.
MP Aspin said he'll be presenting the idea to the Northeastern Ontario Conservative caucus this week and to "key individuals in the government."
"I would be hopeful that the province would take a good look at this and be very supportive," he said.