Ontario Northland Transportation Commission

On March 23, 2012 the Province announced that it was beginning the process of selling the business lines operated by the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC). The ONTC is a Crown agency of the Province of Ontario with headquarters in North Bay.

The Province remains committed to ensuring that Northern communities and industries benefit from viable, efficient and sustainable transportation and telecommunications systems. It is continuing the divestment process in a way that makes sense, and that continues to support regional economic development.

Minister's Advisory Committee

The Minister of Northern Development and Mines has established a multi-stakeholder ONTC Advisory Committee to provide input into the process of the divestment of ONTC.

The Committee will ensure that the voices of Northerners and all those impacted by the divestment of the ONTC are heard and listened to, that the divestment recognizes the economic development value of the ONTC, and that the decisions made reflect the need to put in place a Northern transportation strategy that recognizes that growth and prosperity remain a top priority.

It provides a collaborative opportunity for the exchange of ideas throughout the divestment process, and ensures that municipalities, Aboriginal communities, and key industry stakeholders have a structured forum for advice and concerns to be brought forward.

It will build on consultations that have been held with municipalities, Aboriginal communities, northern industry and other interested groups to date.

Quick Facts

Passenger Services

  • ONTC motor coach services continue to run as usual. Every community that was served by the former Northlander train is served by ONTC motor coach service.
  • Services to rural and remote communities are protected by ensuring the Polar Bear Express train service will continue between Cochrane and Moosonee.
  • The Niska I ferry will continue to sail from Moosonee to Moose Factory Island with no changes to scheduled service.
  • The ONTC is continuing all other operations as it moves forward on the divestment process.

Pan-Northern Transportation Strategy

  • The new Ontario government realizes the need to have a pan-Northern transportation strategy – the ONTC served only one part of Northeastern Ontario.
  • This will take shape from work being done by the Ministry of Transportation on a Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Study (NOMTS).
  • It is an opportunity to assess Northern Ontario’s transportation infrastructure and services, so we can build a sustainable and integrated transportation system.

News Releases

Divestiture Updates

Other Information

The government remains committed to ensuring that northern communities and industries benefit from a viable, efficient and sustainable transportation system. As details about the divestment process become available, they will be provided on the MNDM and ONTC web sites.

Ontario Northland, including a message from ONTC Chair Ted Hargreaves.