Local Alstom Plant Hopeful for New TTC Contract!
by Scott A. Sumner
It was great to have an indepth tour of Alstom here in Thunder Bay! This plant is approximately 500,000 square feet in size and one of the biggest structures in Thunder Bay. Our tour was lead by Lindsay Fenton, Site Manager of Alstom. MaritStiles, Leader of the NDP in Ontario and the Official Opposition from the Davenport riding and Lise Vaugeois, MPP Thunder Bay Superior Northwere also on the tour.
I was able to ask Marit and Lise some questions
Marit Stiles is the Leader of the His Majesty Loyal Official Opposition
I asked her the reason for her visit.
“ We are here at Alstom because we want to talk about Ontario jobs. The money that is going into building transit are Ontario taxpayer dollars and we want to see those translate into Ontario and Thunder Bay jobs. Iwanted to see the plant for myself, see how it works here at Alstom andtalk to some of the workers on the line.”
What were your impressions of the plant?“
It's a really big and impressive plant and great learning about how the line works . There are many skilled trades people employed here and lots of opportunity.I moved to Toronto from Newfoundland 30 odd years ago and spend a lot of time on TTC Streetcars and Go Trains so it's really exciting to seewhere they are coming from and the Go Trains being refurbished. We haveto make sure we put Ontario first for jobs. Thunder Bay is anincredible place to live and lets keep jobs here.
How do you enjoy your job Marit
“ It's great, a wonderful opportunity, a big job. My job is both to hold the government to account and lead our party and caucus into the next election and hopefully form government and be our next premier. It is also about putting forward some solutions to the problems thatOntarions are facing. This is great opportunity to be part of making things better for people
.How do you find the current environment we live in?
“ It is a challenging environment today for many people, whether you are struggling or just feeling stuck is how I put it, say affording daily essentials of life including housing all across the province.Rents are skyrocketing. 2.5 million Ontarians don't have a family doctor or primary health care provider and that will rise to 5 million a year from now, as so many are retiring.”“We need to deliver the basics, health care, education, good roads and safe places to live. We have seen governments that are not putting those priorities first.”“ We have to take the US incoming administration and tariffs seriously.My advice is don't give it up until you get to the negotiation table.He will keep saying scary things and lets know we have some leverageand strengths and lets protect those Ontario jobs
.”How do you enjoy being in the North?
“ It's really exciting to come to the North.I always have my phone out on the way up to Thunder Bay, taking videos.The beauty makes you awestruck, Lake Superior is a powerful lake. I see industry here like the Port, the harbour this is a really important hubfor our province. We need to priortize the North, attract more peoplehere and build communities back.”
Lise Vaugeois, MPP Thunder Bay Superior North
How did you enjoy the tour today Lise?
“ This is the third time I have been through this Alstom plant and every time I am blown away because there are so many different types ofskills and the large scope of the work. I also ride the street cars inToronto and when you come here you see the thousands of components andthe skills that go into it. Lets get the next subway line built here.”“ This plant draws skilled workers here and keeps them here. When you think of the history of this building being here for over 100 years,
it's amazing!
It is fun to show off our region to Marit and meet people. People thatlive here are committed to be here and what can we build for the future.”
