"It's a mistake, plain and simple"

NORTH BAY, ON, April 4, 2012 /CNW/ - The General Chairperson's Association (GCA) which represents all unionized employees at Ontario Northland believes statements made by Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli about the selloff of the ONTC not being in the Ontario Budget is an attempt to draw attention away from his lack of support for the employees of Ontario Northland and the communities they live in.

"After the events of recent days there is no longer any question about Mr. Fedeli's allegiance. In the 2011 election Mr. Fedeli committed that if elected MPP he would speak up on behalf of his constituents. In that regard he has failed miserably", said GCA Spokesperson Brian Kelly.

"It is quite apparent that Premier McGuinty's statements of last week about Mr. Fedeli's support of the Liberals divestiture plans are true…[McGuinty] Speaker, again, I know this is a difficult decision, but there is some surprising support in some surprising quarters. For example, I'm very pleased to have the support of the member for Nipissing, whose community is directly affected by this. This is something we could not do without support from some members of the opposition, and I want to acknowledge the continuing strong support of the member for Nipissing for this difficult initiative", added Kelly.

"Instead of opposing the divestiture of Ontario Northland and supporting the economic engine of the entire region, Mr. Fedeli rose in the Legislature to talk about a power plant in southern Ontario. Where are his priorities?" concluded Kelly.

In contrast NDP Leader Andrea Horwath rose in the Legislature in opposition to the divestiture of Ontario Northland to say , It's just a mistake—I don't know how else to say it. It's a mistake, plain and simple. I raised it in question period this morning. I'm raising it again this afternoon. It is a plain and simple mistake to privatize Ontario Northland.

Brian Kelly at 705-471-5263