December 9th, 2015

NDP demands Liberal government stop cuts to ONTC and northern public services

Today John Vanthof, NDP MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane, demanded the Liberal government stop cuts to the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) and northern public services.

“On Saturday, thousands of people will be rallying in North Bay to bring attention to your government’s cuts across the North: cuts to health care, cuts to bus service and basic mismanagement of labour relations throughout the North,” Vanthof said.

“A particular example is the lockout at ONTC. We have got 200 workers who want to work. There’s lots of work out there, yet they’re prevented from working by this government.

“Will this government end the lockout and enter into meaningful negotiations?”

Vanthof challenged the Liberal government’s claims of commitment to Northern Ontario.

“We have seen bus stations closed. We have seen cuts to bus services, and people who aren’t permitted or aren’t offered the opportunity to move where they used to move. We have people in North Bay who want to work. There’s work out there, and the government has decided to close the doors,” Vanthof said. “People in Northern Ontario want to get back to work.”