Snow Tour 2010 a success

by Karina Hunter

Day One: Wawa Sno-Riders President Doug Johnson leads the group on tour of Wawa area via snowmobile.

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

Tuesday, February 9^th through Thursday, February 11^th, Northeastern Ontario welcomed key political figures participating in Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike Brown’s Annual Snow Tour in Wawa, Ontario. 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-Pickering, 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 community leaders – 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.

Day 1: Northeastern Ontario mayors, CAOs, EDC and business representatives took full advantage of the opportunity to bring their issues forward at a supper sponsored by the Superior East Mayors' Group in Wawa, left to right are 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.

Wednesday presented a very rare opportunity for the dignitaries as they traveled 100km via snowmobile to Dubreuilville; there they enjoyed lunch with the municipality’s Council Members and EDC Board before assisting in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Dubreuilville Community Arena’s Grand Re-opening. Director of Leisure Services Alain Rioux took participants on a tour of the facility’s new amendments which included electrical upgrades, the addition of four change rooms, a new lobby, re-location of the entrance and upgrade to the ice system/compressors to improve efficiency; upgrades were completed in Fall 2009 thanks to 3.5 million provincial dollars from the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII).  A quick goodbye to hosts in Dubreuilville and the group was back on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club (OFSC) trails returning to Wawa where the Snow Tour would wrap up with a fish fry at the local Legion Hall. 

The Snow Tour was first initiated by Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Mike 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, 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 the unique experience which allowed many opportunities for communication with those whom she serves “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 was a special bonus”.