GCA requests invite to Ontario Premier Wynne's Ring of Fire Development Corporation table

NORTH BAY, ON, Nov. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The General Chairperson's Association (GCA) representing unionized employees at Ontario Northland has written Ontario's Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelleand Premier Wynne, requesting that the ONTC and the GCA be included in discussions with all partners across the North about building a publically owned transportation infrastructure into the Ring of Fire.

"During Minister Gravelle's media conference Friday he stated that any interested parties should make their intentions known quickly if they wish to be included in these discussions, the GCA has done just that sending a letter to the Minister today", said GCA spokesperson Brian Kelly.

"There should be no question that the ONTC/GCA must be involved in these discussions as the North's transportation and communication infrastructure provider. We know the north and our knowledge and expertise will be crucial in meeting the expanded transportation, internet and tele-communication needs into the Ring of Fire and the region's First Nations communities", added Kelly.

"The ONTC/GCA involvement in this important Ontario government initiative may lay the groundwork for a pleasing resolve to ill-conceived divestiture plan announced in March 2012. Both Premier Wynne and Minister Gravelle have stated they are open to other options to divestiture and since then they have put the Development Corporation on the table and that concept should be fully explored", concluded Kelly.

SOURCE General Chairperson's Association (GCA)