Snow Tour 2010 a success

by Karina Hunter

Pictured are dignitaries who traveled to Dubreuilville via snowmobile, left to right: Hon. K.Wynne, Dubreuilville CAO R.Raymond, Dubreuilville Mayor Helene Perth (Dubreuilville), Dubreuilville Councillor Luc Levesque, Hon. Gerry Phillips Chair of Cabinet Responsible for Seniors, Mayoral Candidate G.Smitherman, James Bazely President OHBA, MPP Joe Dickson Ajax-Pickiering (Deputy Gov’t Whip), Scott Ground Technologies Assistant, Constable Christopher Morrison (OPP), Ryan Bignucolo Algoma-Manitoulin Liberal Party President, Doug Johnson Snowmobile Guide (Wawa), Constable Shane Bukowski (OPP), MPP M.Brown (Ride Organizer), S.T.O.P. Officer Dave Leask, Sergeant David Hall (OPP), Brenda Grunt Writer Wawa-News.

Northeastern Ontario said goodbye Thursday to the key political figures who participated in Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown’s Annual Snow Tour in Wawa, Ontario this week. In addition to Brown, participants included the Honourable Gerry Phillips Chair of Cabinet, Responsible for Seniors, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Transportation, Toronto mayoral candidate George Smitherman (Former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Former Minister of Health), and Joe Dickson, MPP Ajax-Pickiering, they were joined for a number of networking events well attended by community representatives. Tuesday evening a formal supper was held in Wawa; Northeastern Ontario mayors, CAOs, EDC and business representatives took full advantage of the opportunity to bring their issues forward to the Minister of Transportation, Minister Responsible for Seniors and other MPPs  present,  a very rare opportunity for Northern constituents Wednesday, dignitaries traveled 100km via snowmobile to Dubreuilville were they enjoyed lunch with Dubreuiville Council Members and EDC Board before assisting in the ribbon cutting ceremony  at the Grand Re-opening of the Dubreuilville Community Arena.  The arena’s upgrades were completed in Fall 2009 thanks to 3.5 million provincial dollars from the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative after a tour of the facility’s new amendments it was time to get back on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trails and return to Wawa for the final evening of their Snow Tour adventure.  

Ribbon cutting officially re-opens the Dubreuiville Community Arena February 10, 2010 Left to Right: The Groomer Guy, Dubreuilville Councillor Luc Levesque, Recreation Director Alain Rioux, Dubreuilville CAO Rejean Raymond, Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown, Dubreuilville Mayor Helene Perth, Hon. Kathleen Wynne Minister of Transportation MPP Don Valley West, Gerry Phillips Minister Reponsible for Seniors, Joe Dickson MPP Ajax-Pickering Deputy Government Whip Liberal Party Ontario, Dubreuilville Councillor (x2), George Smitherman Toronto Mayoral Candidate (former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Former Minister of Health).

The Snow Tour was first initiated by Brown more than a decade ago, facilitating conversation between his constituents and the provincial politicians they might not otherwise have personal access to, over the decade that Brown has organized the tour, more than 30 Ministers have participated including those responsible or assisting with ministries such as Transportation, Northern Development Mines and Forestry, Health and Long Term Care, Energy and Infrastructure, Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Children and Youth Services, Energy and Infrastructure and Tourism.  This year, before the VIPs departed Wawa
February 11^th they traveled more than 300km via snowmobile on the trails of the OFSC gaining first hand knowledge of the challenges and successes of northern communities which have been additionally challenged in recent years with forestry sector difficulties and decline of snowmobile tourism dollars.  The Hon. Kathleen Wynne was very pleased with opportunity for communications during the unique experience “Mike Brown’s Snow Tour provided me with the opportunity to hear from many local communities on transportation issues” said the Minister of Transportation adding that “Spending time with my colleagues and taking in the awe inspiring beauty that is winter in Northern Ontario” had been a special bonus of the trip.  

Tuesday's supper in Wawa allowed a unique opportunity for Northern Community Leaders (Mayors, Council members, CAOs and Business people) to speak with Provinical digniataries. Left to right: MPP Joe Dickson Ajax-Pickering; Toronto Mayoral Candidate George Smitherman (former Minister of Energy and Infrastructure and Former Minister of Health); Chapleau Mayor Earl Freeborn, Manitouwadge Mayor John MacEachern, Dubreuilville Mayor Hélène Perth, Snow Tour Organizer MPP Mike Brown Algoma-Manitoulin, Pic Mobert First Nations Chief Joe Buckell, Hon. Kathleen Wynne Minister of Transportation (MPP Don Valley West); White River Mayor Angelo Bazzoni, Hon. Gerry Phillips Minister Reponsible of Seniors and Chair of Cabinet, Wawa Mayor Howard Whent.

Submitted to the Chronicle Journal 02.13.10

More Snow Tour 2010 News and Photos to be posted soon, check back often!