It was an emotional morning for Ontario Northland President and CEO Corina Moore.
On Friday morning Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli announced that Metrolinx and the Ontario Northland have signed a contract valued at nearly $109 million to refurbish 56 GO Transit bi-level rail coaches at Ontario Northland’s Remanufacturing and Repair Centre in North Bay.
For Moore, getting this contract has been something on her Ontario Northland Bucket List since taking the CEO position seven years ago.
"Obviously filling the shops is one of them but this one is near to me," she admitted.
"I was working as the COO when we lost this contract in 2011, and I did not think it was right then and I've always been fighting for it to come back where we deserve it back in North Bay for all the right reasons. It is probably a top three for me in this job to bring this back to North Bay."
"We have done some amazing work to prove our reputation, and we have earned this," said Moore.
"Today means stability for 100 jobs and we have been working really hard for this. We have been telling people we deserve this work and to have it here is a very proud day for all of us."
The new agreement will support jobs and economic growth in Northern Ontario and across the supply chain.
“Today’s investment is an important advancement in our government’s plan to strengthen economic growth and opportunities in the North,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade and MPP for Nipissing.
“This is part of our plan to build a stronger, more resilient manufacturing sector in Northern Ontario that will provide the conditions for economic growth and continue to support high quality, good-paying jobs.”
Fedeli believes the contract has always made sense for Ontario Northland which lost the work to out-of-province manufacturers.
"Think where we were a decade ago when the previous government declared war on Ontario Northland and they said they wanted to divest it at all costs. If they couldn't find a buyer they were just going to close it down," Fedeli recalled referring to the Liberal government at the time.
"Part of that divestment meant sending 80 of these Go cars to the province of Quebec. You talk about rubbing it in your face and that is what the previous government did.
"This is a real day to see vindication for the hard-working women and men of Ontario Northland who fought so hard," added Fedeli.
Metrolinx is pleased with the new deal as well.
“This vehicle refurbishment agreement is an important step in supporting the growth of our future rail capacity. We’re proud to make this progress, working with Ontario Northland and the communities of Northern Ontario to signal growth and opportunity in the area for transit to flourish," said Phil Verster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Metrolinx
The refurbishment of the 56 bi-level coaches is expected to start later next month, with the completion scheduled for fall 2025. The coach cars will receive a complete overhaul that includes stripping the entire coach, structural work, and renewing or upgrading parts including new seating, washroom upgrades, electrical components as well as HVAC and door system upgrades.
The refurbishment work for the new contract will start on May 30, 2022, and is anticipated to be complete by late September 2025.
