Strong condemnation from a private bus company as Ontario Northland expands its service to communities along Highway 11.
Kasper Wabinski, of Kasper Transportation, says the government is allowing the provincially run bus company to operate above the Ontario Transportation Board, while having no problem taking private business owners on. “The only other place that comes to mind right now, and I’m sure there are others, is Russia. As soon as a business man develops a business, the Russian government will come in and take it.”
Wabinski adds he was promised by Northern Development Minister Greg Rickford the province would work to help private bus companies.
He adds he continues to wait on his application with the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, which he says has helped other businesses.
“Why are they stonewalling my application? Because they are trying to buy themselves time, with reducing the viability of our business. They are trying to give themselves a reason not to support our bus company, like they promised they would,” says the Kasper Transportation owner.
Wabinski adds he has no problem with a competitive business environment, but wonders about Premier Doug Ford’s claim Ontario is open for business.
“Some people may say we are too expensive, but we don’t get $120-million a year from the Ontario taxpayer. If you download their spreadsheets that they published, they are losing $60-million a year,” says Wabinski.
The Thunder Bay based bus company owner adds the government is acting like a bully.
Kasper runs buses across northwestern Ontario.
