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ISSUE 1 | 2021
ON NEWS
YOUR ONTARIO NORTHLAND EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER
Tommy Biers,
Coach Cleaner/Engine Attendant,
Cochrane
COVID-19 Enhanced Efforts Making a Difference
THANK YOU to everyone for continuing to be For all employees, I ask that you continue to make
vigilant, practice safety protocols, and follow the safety your number one priority. Our collective effort
Ontario Northland Standard Operating Procedures and commitment is working – there have been 0
(SOPs) designed as part of our COVID-19 reported cases among employees. By remaining
response, based on the advice of public health and vigilant we can continue to avoid any outbreaks.
government officials.
If you have any questions or concerns for the
Reports of the COVID-19 variants in the Pandemic Response Working Group please email
communities we serve and live in is of significant them to covid@ontarionorthland.ca
concern to the Pandemic Response Working Group.
These variants are more transmissible, meaning Chad Evans
they spread fast and more easily. We will monitor VP Corporate Services
the situation, adapt our strategies as required to
keep our workplaces safe and share information.
-2-
Face Covering Required Maintain Physical Distance
Couvre-visage obligatoire Maintenir la distance physique
2m
Diesel Shop Christmas Tree Returns!
If you’ve driven the Lakeshore After several comments from
overpass in North Bay in December, the community, wondering where
you would have noticed the brightly the Christmas tree was, it was
lit Christmas tree atop the brought back to the roof of the
Diesel Shop. Diesel Shop in time for the 2020
Holidays!
Last year, when the building
received an exterior makeover, the
tree was temporarily removed.
-3-
Message from Corina
I am so happy to be writing this and The feedback and ideas are now
to be back at work! being reviewed and I look forward to
incorporating them into our
I would like to express my sincere business planning.
gratitude for all of you who supported
and wished me well over the past Interestingly, 89% of you responded
six months. 2020 was a difficult year that you enjoyed the virtual format.
for everyone and I believe we all got I will work to find more ways to
through it with strong friendships continue with videos and virtual
and support networks, both at work gatherings. However, please
and personally. It is an amazing
feeling knowing that you have people
know that I prefer to see all of
you in person and look forward
Extreme
rooting for your recovery. THANK to the day when we can all get Ice Railroad
YOU. I was especially overwhelmed together and celebrate our many
by the support and enthusiasm for accomplishments. As a follow-up to the popular
our “Run for the Cure” team in the Railroad Alaska series, the Ontario
fall. Not only did we break many Thank you again for being such Northland crew was back for a
community fundraising records, but a positive influence in my life. I’m second season of “Extreme Ice
we increased awareness for the very excited to be back and for this Railroad”. The series, which was
importance of early detection. upcoming year. Based on your input, filmed last winter, will be premiering
we will be setting our next set of bold on Discovery+ in February, although
I also want to thank Chad Evans and exciting goals that will guide currently only available in the US.
and the Executive Team for stepping our planning and ensure our strong Canadian TV premiere will be
up in my absence to keep projects future. announced in the spring.
and decisions moving forward. I am
looking forward to continuing with Stay safe. Stay healthy. And always “Extreme Ice Railroad” follows
the excellent progress made while keep your ideas coming! engineers and maintenance of way
I was away. crews throughout the system to
keep the railroad moving. See how
Thank you to everyone who viewed the crews work together to transport
and submitted feedback for the -Corina huge freight, undertake essential
Organization Update and Employee track engineering, clear snow and
Engagement Session. We received a ice while maintaining trains and
great response. rail infrastructure.
-4-
Ontario Northland’s Legal Team is Raising the Bar
Although Ontario Northland’s legal team is based out of will be reaching out to the municipalities in our service
the North Bay headquarters, the team works on contracts, area requesting to have Ontario Northland involved in
issues and partnerships throughout the north and works the municipal planning and development function at an
with all the departments at Ontario Northland. early stage to allow us to provide our input on impacts
or improvements relating to new planning policies or
The department is led by Donna Jaques, Ontario development applications that affect our rail and road
Northland’s General Counsel, who describes the team transportation corridors.
as small but mighty. Donna is supported by Erin Mullens,
Legal Project Specialist, who focuses much of her time Did you know that Legal Services and Corporate
on real estate matters. Kelly Domanico, Legal Assistant, Governance Department:
provides contract management and administrative • manages Ontario Northland’s insurance portfolio;
support and Lyndee Cicalo, Legal Counsel, joined
the team in the fall bringing claims management and • manages over 4,500 legal contracts;
litigation experience from the private sector. Carrie • responds to requests for access to information
Girard, Governance and Privacy Manager, supports the under the Freedom of Information and Protection
Commission and the Executive and manages privacy of Privacy Act;
issues for the corporation. Victoria Vaag, Executive
• supports the Commission’s role in agency
Administrative Assistant, provides administrative support
governance and accountability;
for the Executive and Commission members.
• houses original meeting minutes and deed books
New for 2021 from 1902 to today;
• is responsible for Ontario Northland’s privacy
This year, the legal team is focused on modernizing policies;
processes and building relationships. With the addition
of a privacy role to the team, we plan to enhance privacy • is developing an inventory of Ontario Northland’s
awareness at Ontario Northland and develop policies land holdings, including land under the 675 miles
to support our privacy obligations. We are also focused of mainline track, 291 extra railway properties
on modernizing the governance structure of Ontario (sidings, widenings, existing and former station
Northland and its subsidiary, Nipissing Central Railway. grounds and ballast pits), 192 non-rail properties,
170 buildings, 450 crossings and all leases and
Municipal Planning Partners easements.; and
• is the administrator of MyPolicies.
To support Ontario Northland’s mandate to be actively
engaged in transportation planning, Legal Services
-5- Road Stores Getting Much Needed Makeover Some essential construction work began this season at the McIntyre Street Road Stores warehouse. The planned demolition of the road stores building is moving quickly and is set to be complete by Spring. “Our employees are excited to see the start of a new building take place,” says Claude Levasseur, Stores Supervisor. “Having a new space with the proper organization system and layout will allow us to serve our customers more efficiently.” The demolition of the old warehouse is essential due to safety concerns and to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of transportation services. The Marketing department has been capturing the progress and will be releasing a video showing the complete transformation once the project is complete later this spring. In Memoriam We would like to extend our condolences to the families and friends of our pensioners who have passed away. Employee Last Position Held Department Years Worked Denis Tailleur Terminal Manager Star Transfer 1961-1993 Hilkka Rochon Service Assistant Telecommunications 1974-2006 Lorenzo Sivret Truck Driver Star Transfer 1962-1993 Donald Houghton Corporal Executive Office 1966-1994 Reginald Hill Shed Checker Transportation 1942-1964 Robert Boucher Principal Clerk Jr. Telecommunications 1956-1991 James Noakes Bill & Train Clerk Transportation 1960-1995 James Mudrick Conductor Transportation 1972-2004 Terry Johnston Track Maintenance Foreman Infrastructure 1965-1996 Gerald Oglestone Equipment Foreman Mechanical 1947-1987 Robert Norman Sr. Draftsman Mechanical 1951-1987
-6-
Season of Giving
Employees throughout the system gave back this
year in various ways. Sponsoring families in need as
a group of colleagues, volunteering together and a
toy drive that resulted in many happy children and
families this holiday season.
Here are a few pictures of our employees over the
holiday season!
Thank you to everyone who took time to give
back this season and for showing off your Ontario
Northland pride!
ATTENTION TO ALL UNIFOR/CAW Local 103 RETIREES
Please be advised local 103 has established a Retired Workers Chapter to further engage our
retired members and provide a forum and mechanism to keep our retired members connected
to their union. If you would like to participate or need more information please send us an e-mail
with your contact information to the address below and someone will be in touch shortly.
Thank you for your time and we look forward to hearing from you.
In solidarity,
Unifor 103 Executive Board E-mail: 103rwchapter@gmail.com
It’s the Office you know, plus tools to help you
work better together so you can get more done.
-7-
Microsoft 365 Roll-Out Work better
This year Ontario Northland will be upgrading together
Microsoft Office to Microsoft 365.
Microsoft 365 includes a suite of applications
that you are familiar with such as Word and
Excel. It also introduces some new applications
such as Teams, a group video and chat Office – When
software. Microsoft 365 is cloud-based, meaning
employees will be able to access software easily
and where you
with an internet connection and updates will take need it
place automatically.
“I am excited about this upgrade. Microsoft
365 will enhance productivity and make online
collaboration easier for Ontario Northland,” said
Chester Smirle, Manager, ITS. “There are a lot of
new tools that employees will benefit from. Like Work with
other software upgrades, there will be a new look
and features. Our IT department will support you familiarity
through this transition with technical assistance
and training.”
The first round of training begins in February
Learn what you can do with Office
with 121 participants already registered. “We will
continue to share deployment information and
updates throughout the next few months.”
Training Community Events
Welcome New Employees
Since November 2020, 10 employees have joined us.
Be sure to introduce yourself and personally welcome
them to Ontario Northland!
Jessica Dubeault William Boychuk
CSSA Maintainer Work Equipment
Cochrane Englehart
Scott Drinkwalter Victoria Vaag
Bus Operator Admin Assistant
North Bay North Bay
Brenda Hayden Sirje Bekeschus
Bus Operator Spare Clerk
Thunder Bay North Bay
2021 RAIL CALENDARS
Shanika Morgan Amanda Weichel
The 2021 Annual Ontario Northland Rail Calendar
Bus Operator Spare Clerk
Sault Ste. Marie North Bay celebrates stunning local photography featuring
our locomotive fleet and breath-taking views of
Alexander Jeffery Samara Cull Northern Ontario.
Bus Operator Spare Rail Traffic Controller
North Bay https://ontario-northland.myshopify.com/
-8-
Employee Profile: Alexander Jeffery
Motor Coach Operator Position Drives Young Man to Ontario Northland
Many of us had dreams as children of Although his career first started out and embracing the northern culture
what we wanted to be when we grew as a transport truck driver, he knew while still traveling the province and
up, from an astronaut, veterinarian, when he was a young boy that he getting people to the places they
teacher, police officer to a locomotive wanted to drive passenger coaches. need to be on our buses,” says Alex.
engineer or bus driver. How many In order to transport passengers, you
of us can say that dream became a have to hold a BZ license and be Not only does Alex have a passion
reality? Alex Jeffery is one of Ontario 21 years-old, it was a long wait for for driving motor coaches, he is a
Northland’s newest motor coach Alex. In the meantime, he drove long freehand artist. “I’ve always loved
operator recruits and for him, his distances all over northern Ontario in to draw, especially transports and
dreams of being a bus driver have an 18-wheeler until he turned 21 and motor coaches,” says Alex. “I like
officially come true. was able to finally apply for a position using only a pencil and pencil
as a motor coach operator carrying crayon.” Each drawing takes several
Alex grew up in a small farming passengers. hours, Alex meticulously draws the
town in southern Ontario and outline with a pencil then uses pencil
made his way north to be a part Alex held a few positions for other crayons to bring his drawings to life.
of the Ontario Northland family. “I transportation carriers until recently
remember a wallpaper border I had accepting a position with Ontario Thanks for sharing your passion
in my bedroom as a child that had Northland and making the official of motor coaches and art with us
trucks and buses, and I would picture move north. “I love northern Ontario Alex - welcome to the Ontario
myself driving one when I grew up,” and can see myself settling down Northland team!
retells Alex Jeffery, Motor Coach
Operator. “From the moment I turned Alex knew
18, I immediately got my AZ license from a very
to be able to get on the road and young age he
start driving an 18-wheeler truck.” wanted to be
Alex always admired the “old-school” a bus driver,
professional look of a transport truck he’s pictured
driver and bus driver. He prides here in front of
himself on his professionalism and a Greyhound
always took his various driving motor coach at
jobs seriously. 13 years old.
-9-
REMINDER!
Use the COVID
Catalogue for
All Your COVID
Supplies
Not sure what supplies are
new and available in our COVID
inventory class (91)?
Check out our
COVID Catalogue!
Visit the COVID-19 information page
of the intranet and open the COVID
An Ontario Northland Catalogue and Wkly Stock Status
motor coach done in Report folder to find a copy of the
pencil by Alex Jeffery latest version of the illustrative
on an old logbook catalogue, along with a copy of
the Class 91 Stock Status Report
which provides full details of how
much stock is available and where
(which is updated weekly).
Feel free to download a copy of
the catalogue, but remember to
check back often for the most
recent version as items and product
New Cochrane Sign Creates Excitement availability may change over time.
Please do not use your P-card for
It’s important to have signage that is reflective of a company’s brand, and the these new purchases
new sign in Cochrane certainly gives a great impression. Brand consistency
and awareness is essential, it’s the narrative to a stable and reliable Ontario Looking for something different but
Northland, using the same fonts, colors and themes for signage builds on that essential for operations related to
foundation, throughout all the communities Ontario Northland serves. The new COVID-19? Reach out to Jason
sign boasts energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly LED lighting and is Baker to discuss at
constructed with a high-quality aluminum composite designed to withstand our
northern climate. The new modernized sign instills pride in the employees and jason.baker@ontarionorthland.ca
the customers that rely on Ontario Northland’s service. or ext 275
- 10 -
DRESSED
& READY
ENSURE ALL PPE IS ON
RAC Safety Culture
AND WORN CORRECTLY
Assessment
Last year a Rail Safety Culture Assessment was
conducted by the Railway Association of Canada
(RAC) in order to gather input and evaluate how
safety is approached in the workplace. The
honest feedback we received from the surveys
and focus groups with rail employees were
compiled into a report from RAC.
Railway Age’s Top 20 Under 40 The report identified three main themes and
areas for improvement: Communication, Making
Fast Tracker: Stephen Hayne Health and Safety a Priority, and Building Trust.
(Pictured Above) These are the areas that created some of the
most interesting feedback and by focusing on
them, we anticipate a positive shift in our safety
Railway Age has been honouring 20 Fast Trackers to culture.
railroaders under the age of 40 since 2016 from the United
States, Canada and Mexico for making an impact in their Next steps include sharing the results of the
respective fields or within their company. The Top 20 will be survey and putting the recommendations into
showcased in the February 2021 edition of Railway Age. action. If your department or group is having a
meeting or would like to schedule a presentation
Congratulations Steve! on the RAC Safety Culture Assessment and
A great way to showcase Ontario Northland. Action Plan please email
laurie.laronde@ontarionorthland.ca
Best Wishes in Your Retirement
Pensioner Last Position Location
Lorna Peltola Clerk, Cochrane Hotel Cochrane
Roger Hunter Track Inspector Ramore- 11 - Wearpad Repairs on the RIP Track Earlier this winter the North Bay Repair In Place (RIP) team The RIP team works behind the scenes, inspecting every made repairs to wearpads for a customer on hundreds of rail car on our system and making quick repairs ensuring rail cars. It was the first repair of this kind for the team and we keep rail freight moving for our customers. they found a system that worked efficiently and allowed them to power through the repairs. The RIP team works outside in all the elements, year round. Surprisingly, most of them like the Winter season, it’s cold but dry. The RIP team allows for minor repairs to be done in a rail-yard, avoiding making room inside the shops and allowing for quick repairs, ensuring the rail equipment is returned to service as soon as possible and in some cases can even be done without removing the rail freight from the equipment. Retiree Profiles Lorna Peltola If you’ve stayed at the Cochrane Station Inn in the last 21 years chances are you were served by Lorna at the Front Desk. Lorna enjoyed dealing with and servicing the public but especially enjoyed her colleagues. She wants to remind everyone to treat guests and customers with respect and kindness and to work as a team like one family. She looks forward to travel outside of the country and enjoying her time with family and friends while she takes it easy and enjoys retirement. We wish the same for you Lorna! Congratulations and Happy Retirement.
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