MANITOULIN–Erroneous reports circulating in the community and being promulgated by some media outlets are claiming that the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) is planning to layoff 30 people due to the delayed ferry schedule.
Asked if there are any plans for layoffs, OSTC CEO and President Susan Schrempf was succinct and adamant.
“No,” she said. “There are no plans for layoffs. I am not laying people off. I have no idea if there will be layoffs or when, but right now that isn’t even on the radar.”
OSTC Chair Barney Hopkins proclaimed that the OSTC board has “100 percent confidence in Susan Scrempf.” He went on to suggest that if people want to point a finger, where the digit should be aimed. “People who are criticizing her (Ms. Schrempf) should be pointing their finger at the Federal government.”
Mr. Hopkins pointed out that a recent statement from Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines, clearly indicates that Transport Canada has been in negotiation over the docks with the province for two years.
