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Vol. 52 No. 43
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Wynne Government's Decision To Pull Plug On Natural Gas Loan Leaves Northern Ontario Communities Feeling Let Down No End in Sight for Residents and Businesses in Ontario's North Shore Facing Soaring Energy Bills TORONTO, ONTARIO-(Marketwired - Jan. 30, 2017) - Gaining access to natural gas is a key to survival and prosperity for the 11,000plus residents and businesses along the North Shore of Lake Superior who are struggling with soaring energy bills. A stunning reversal today by the Provincial government on a promise to launch the Natural Gas Access Loan program has darkened the future for one natural gas project and the economic viability of these communities. For the past 27 months, the Northern Ontario communities of Marathon, Schreiber, Manitouwadge, Terrace Bay and the Municipality of Wawa have been working with Northeast Midstream on an innovative liquefied natural gas (LNG) distribution project that would deliver natural gas to these communities, which are not now served by traditional pipelines. The anticipated savings are more than $6 million per year for homeowners, businesses, and municipalities, according to a feasibility study supported by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. The viability of that project is now in jeopardy after the government's last-minute announcement today to cancel the Natural Gas Access Loan program. "We are incredibly disappointed by today's announcement," says Chris Wray, Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk/Treasurer of the Municipality of Wawa. "The Natural Gas Access Loan program was going to finance a creative solution to connect communities and businesses to natural gas, grow the northern economy, support economic development and create jobs. Today's announcement effectively shrinks a $230 million commitment, $200 million in loans and $30 million in grants, to a $100 million grant. We had a business plan to repay money that the government is now taking away." The Natural Gas Access Loan program funding was allocated in the 2016 Budget. The impetus for the North
Shore project was a government commitment in 2014 to create the $200-million Natural Gas Access Loan program. The Premier and various ministers subsequently provided numerous assurances to the Northern Ontario communities that the loan program was going to help them by funding projects such as theirs. Since 2014 the message from government has been clear - natural gas would continue to play a critical role in the province's energy mix, and the loan program would enable communities to switch to natural gas, a cheaper, cleaner energy source. The three main sources that now heat these Northern Ontario communities are fuel oil, electricity and propane, and all are very expensive. "For years our dependence on expensive sources of energy like electricity, heating oil and propane has hindered our growth," says the CAO of the Town of Marathon, Daryl Skworchinski. "It's even had serious health and environmental implications. Today's about-face by the government now puts in jeopardy the very kind of energy infrastructure we so desperately need. Fulfilment of the government promise was going to be the shot in the arm for the very economic viability of our community." What North Shore Mayors Are Saying "Having only limited availability to funding programs will greatly impede project development in small-town Northwestern Ontario. New, affordable energy solutions are greatly needed in our communities as soaring energy costs are making them unlivable and unsustainable." - Mayor Rick Dumas Town of Marathon "We have been anxiously awaiting the launch of the Natural Gas Access Loan program since it was first announced in 2014. The announcement today that this program has essentially been defunded by $130 million is certainly disappointing and Continued on page 2...
Manitoulin Transport Opens Larger Terminal In Wawa, Ontario Continues To Invest In Rural Canada Manitoulin Transport announced today that it has opened a new transportation terminal in Wawa, Northern Ontario, further strengthening its ability to provide the widest direct coverage in Canada. The new terminal ensures that businesses in the region, including those in the mining industry, can benefit from consistent, reliable and exceptional service throughout Canada. The new terminal at 164 Mills Drive, Wawa, which sits on 1.8 acres of yard, has greater storage capacity than Manitoulin's existing Wawa terminal and is able to handle twice as many shipments. "This new, larger terminal demonstrates our commitment to Wawa and surrounding areas. It also emphasizes our readiness to support businesses here as they grow," said Jeff King, president, Manitoulin Transport. "While some of our competitors may also offer national coverage, Manitoulin provides the widest direct national coverage of any provider in Canada. This enables shipments to get to their destination without leaving our hands, minimizing the risk of damage, loss and delay. Also, with Manitoulin, clients benefit from personalized service through a dedicated account representative who understands their business and is able to assemble the most advantageous solution for them from the full suite
of transportation and logistics services available." "As the provider of the widest direct coverage in Canada, Manitoulin goes beyond simply investing in major towns and cities," said Don Goodwill, president, Manitoulin Group of Companies. "More remote areas, such as Wawa, can also be highly strategic in building out a network of truly comprehensive coverage. As well, access to a reliable transportation partner who can provide a one-stop-shop for all their transportation and logistics needs, is just as essential to businesses in Wawa as it is to businesses elsewhere in Canada, particularly as the mining industry in Northern Ontario continues to expand." Manitoulin's former terminal has been closed and employees have transferred to the new facility. About Manitoulin Transport Manitoulin Transport is a leading North American trans-
61 Mission Road Wawa, Ontario P0S 1K0 Tel: 705-856-2394 Cell: 705-856-5595 Fax: 705-856-4290 alainbouffard@missionmotors.com www.missionmotors.com
Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6 Carol Hughes, M.P. . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 4 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pgs. 9-12 Crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 11 Crime Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 5 First United Church News . . . . . . Pg. 4 Library Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 4 Michipicoten Chronicles . . . . . . . Pg. 7 Pathways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 3 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 7 Storytime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 8 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 9 Viking Voices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg. 6
portation and logistics solutions provider. As a singlesource carrier, it offers a wide array of transportation solutions, including; expedited less-than-truckload and truckload, transborder, intermodal, private fleet, guaranteed service, heavy haul, temperaturecontrolled, dangerous goods and supply chain management. Manitoulin leverages its extensive network to service major urban and rural areas. In North America, its distribution coverage consists of more than 70 Canadian terminals and 250 U.S. service centres. All these solutions are assisted by its state-of-the-art technology that provides customers with 24 x 7 critical shipping information to manage and complete their supply chain processes. For more information visit www.manitoulintransport. com. Manitoulin Transport is a member of Manitoulin Group of Companies. About Manitoulin Group of Companies Manitoulin Group of Companies is one of Canada’s leading transportation and logistics solutions providers. It has over 50 years’ experience servicing a variety of industries and some of the world’s largest organizations. As a singlesource provider, its offerings include; expedited less-thantruckload / truckload, crating, customs brokerage, international freight forwarding, global time critical delivery, heavy haul, logistics, warehousing, supply chain management, and residential and commercial moving. These services are supported by state-of-the-art technology which provides 24 x 7 on-line shipping assistance. Manitoulin leverages its extensive network to connect businesses across Canada and around the world. For more information please visit www. manitoulingroup.com.