ON NEWSYOUR ONTARIO NORTHLAND EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

FALL / 2019

Railway Calendar Receives Great Response from EmployeesThank you to everyone who took the time to send pictures of Ontario Northland’s unique operations to be featured in the rail calendar. We received over 90 photos from across our system and wanted to feature some of them in the ON News.

The Rail Calendar is being printed and will be distributed to our freight customers in early December. The calendar is also available for pre-order at https://ontario-northland.myshopify.com

Please keep sharing pictures so we can feature them on our social media, in our promotions and in the ON News. People really respond to our stories and like seeing all the great work we do.

Email your photos to pr@ontarionorthland.ca

Jordan Campbell submitted this great photo of our Utility Gang in Rouyn-Noranda. The group is responsible for general track maintenance, changing ties, repairing switches and routine joint bar maintenance. Left to Right employees Vince Gagne, Sylvain Gagne, Anthony Tverdal, Monique Crispin, Jordan Campbell, Mathew Mcinnis, Steve Salkeld, and Austin Anglehart.

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Access Your Corporate Email AccountAll employees have corporate email accounts. If you do not work at a computer regularly, you still have an account where company communications are sent. All employees are expected to monitor your email accounts to stay informed. As of November 30th – official company emails will no longer be sent to personal email accounts due to confidentiality and security reasons.

To access your email account from a mobile phone, personal computer or tablet follow these simple instructions:

1. Open up a web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, etc) and navigate to https://mail.myontc.ca/owa

2. Log in with your credentials. Username is myontc\username (so for John Smith it would be myontc\jsmith) and your password is the same password you use to log into a computer at work. If you have never accessed a company computer before simply call (705) 472-4500 ext 500 and ITS will set you up with a password.

Pension Merger Approved!On October 1, 2019, Ontario Northland received notice of the approval from Ontario’s pension regulator for the transfer of assets in the Ontario Northland Plan to the Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP). Your defined benefit (DB) pension is now fully governed by the PSPP and all of the pension credit you earned in the Ontario Northland Plan is fully protected and has been transferred to the PSPP.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We will be working with OPB to transfer your historical pension data to them. Until this process is completed and OPB’s tools have been updated to reflect the minimum guarantee, you won’t have online access to the tools because it will not provide you with accurate information at this time.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions, please contact OPB toll free at 1-800-668-6203 or 416-364-5035, or email them at clientservice@opb.ca. They’re open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

United Way Workplace Campaign Employees can support the United Way through payroll deductions. Contact payrolldept@ontarionorthland.ca by December 20th to start your biweekly payments for 2020.

Your donation will support many local charities and initiatives in our region.

Last year, we were proud to donate $9,340.00 through this program.

Here are a few examples of how your donation makes a difference locally.

#locallove #thankyou

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Stuff the Bus in Sault Ste. Marie a Success A northern Ontario tradition made its way to Sault Ste. Marie Saturday, October 5th when Ontario Northland and St. Vincent’s Place came together at Rome’s Your Independent Grocer to “Stuff the Bus” to restock the food bank’s shelves.

Food donations were loaded into an Ontario Northland motor coach. At the end of the day, hundreds of pounds of food was collected as well as over $160 in cash donations for St. Vincent Place.

“St. Vincent’s Place thanks Ontario Northland and Rome’s Your Independent Grocer for their willingness to bring in much needed food donations to help stock our shelves as we head into the busy winter months,” said Sara McCleary, St Vincent’s Place.

“The Sault Ste. Marie community was very generous and we’d like to thank you for supporting this event,” says Ken Grube, Senior Manager of Bus Operations. “I was excited to bring this important community event to Sault Ste. Marie. Stuff the Bus gives Ontario Northland an opportunity to further support the communities we serve.”

Next event is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th in North Bay at Parker’s Your Independent Grocer supporting the North Bay Food Bank.

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Go Hounds Go! Ontario Northland hosts OHL Game Day in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Northland was the corporate host to the Soo Greyhounds’ October 16th game vs. the Saginaw Spirit. Thousands of spectators attended the game as the Marketing and Passenger Services team answered questions about motor coach service and gave away discount coupons to future riders.

Motor Coach Team Provides Emergency Training to First Responders Motor Coach staff participated in a training session with the Markstay-Warren Fire Department. The intent of the training session was to familiarize the firefighters and first responders to the safety features and emergency exits of motor coaches. The training included the on board fire suppression system, stability points and best methods of evacuating and extricating passengers and the driver from the coach in the quickest and safest manner.

Thank you to the Markstay-Warren Fire Department for the invitation to provide this important training exercise.

Training was provided by Ontario Northland motor coach experts Gerry Decou, Jerry Scappatura, Earl Segriff and Ken Grube.

Welcome New Employees

Since August 2019, 17 employees have joined us. Be sure to introduce yourself and personally welcome them to Ontario Northland!

Yanik Brunette Storesperson North Bay

Jake Connelly Gang Labourer Englehart

Cody Corbett Gang Labourer Englehart

Chad Green Payroll Specialist North Bay

Dawson Knight Gang Labourer Englehart

Ira Linklater-Martin Warehouseman Moosonee

Tina Lococo General Counsel North Bay

Christopher MacDonald Conductor Trainee North Bay

Zachary MacMillan Gang Labourer Englehart

Cody Martin Cleaner Cochrane

Taylor McBride Carman North Bay

Kevin McLure Service Desk Representative North Bay

Kristopher McWhirter Gang Labourer Englehart

Andrew Morgan Bus Operator North Bay

Terry Nelson Gang Labourer Englehart

Michael Wiessner Gang Labourer Englehart

Patrick Roy presents SOO Greyhounds Goalie with Ontario Northland swag. He was the selected shining star of the game!

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Community Engagement: Join Us this Season as we Celebrate Together Across the North!Ontario Northland will be participating in the following activities this coming Holiday and Winter season – please sign up to volunteer in events happening in your nearby communities by contacting pr@ontarionorthland.ca

Community Event Date

Capreol (Railroad Museum) Candle Walk & Parade Saturday, November 30th

Cochrane Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade Thursday, November 28th

Cochrane Lions Telethon Sunday, December 1st

Cochrane Cochrane Crunch Game Night Sponsorship Friday, January 31st

Cochrane Winter Carnival Friday, February 14th

Earlton Parade of Lights Friday, December 13th

Earlton Free Ontario Northland Winter Skate January – Date coming soon!

Earlton Winter Festival January 31st - February 2nd

Englehart Unveiling of Christmas Friday, November 15th

Englehart Free Ontario Northland Winter Skate Saturday, January 4th 1-3pm

Haileybury Night of Lights Parade Friday, November 15th

Hearst Holiday Magic Show Saturday, December 14th

Iroquois Falls Parade of Lights Sunday, November 17th

Iroquois Falls Lions Telethon Saturday, November 23rd

Kapuskasing Festival of Lights Sunday, December 1st

Kirkland Lake Santa Clause Parade Friday, November 29th

Matheson Free Ontario Northland Winter Skate Saturday, December 7th 1-3pm

Moosonee Parade of Lights Community Event at Arena Sunday, December 15th

New Liskeard Village Noel Temiskaming Thursday, November 21stFriday, November 22nd Saturday, November 23rd

New Liskeard Festival of Lights Parade Saturday, November 23rd

North Bay Festival of Trees Thursday, November 14th

North Bay Santa Claus Parade Sunday, November 17th

North Bay Downtown Christmas Walk Friday, November 29th

North Bay Light Up Community Joy Friday, November 29th

North Bay Stuff the Bus Saturday, December 7th

North Bay Toy Drive for Low Income People Involvement Thursday, December 12th

Temagami Country Christmas Friday, December 6th & Saturday, December 7th

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Thank you to everyone who took the time to send pictures of Ontario Northland’s unique operations. Please keep sharing pictures so we can continue to see it from your perspective! pr@ontarionorthland.ca

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Get Your Cheer On at Ontario Northland Game Day Sponsoring a hockey game is a great way for Ontario Northland to reach thousands of people while promoting our brand and engaging with the community.

Already this year, we’ve attended the SOO Greyhounds game as a corporate sponsor and have two upcoming sponsorship nights planned for this winter.

As a sponsor, we have a dedicated cheer section and have access to tickets at a discounted rate! Wear your corporate gear and cheer on your local sports team with friends, family and coworkers.

If you’d like to reserve tickets for upcoming hockey games reach out to the Marketing Department pr@ontarionorthland.ca or call ext 530.

FRIDAY, JAN 31ST - 7:00PMCochrane Crunch Game

SUNDAY, FEB 2ND - 2:00PMNorth Bay Battalion

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In MemoriamWe would like to extend our condolences to the families and friends of our pensioners who have passed away.

Employee Last Position Held Department Years WorkedDonald Chapleau Track Maintenance Foreman Infrastructure 1995-2019

Donald Epps Bus Operator Passenger Services 1974-2003

Dorothy Ireland Mgr Cochrane Restaurant Food Services 1969-1989

Darlene Lecour Mgr Information Control RRC 2004-2016

William Rooney Bridgeman Infrastructure 1979-2015

Supplier Feature: JL RichardsJL Richards, an engineering consultant for the HVAC project at the North Bay Diesel Shop, has been busy this fall.

Their team couldn’t contain their excitement about working on this project which will significantly improve the building climate, ensuring Ontario Northland can continue to do locomotive maintenance for decades to come.

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Keeping our Workforce SafeCPR and First Aid Training are essential life skills that everyone should have an opportunity to learn.

Ontario Northland is making that easier by offering in-house CPR and First Aid training to its workforce.

The two-day intensive training covers everything from emergency wound care to infant CPR. “By providing the training in-house, we are able to considerably cut costs associated with the training,” says Cindy Bradley, Manager, Standards Compliance and Training. “The learning experience is enriched by tailoring scenarios specific to what an Ontario Northland employee might encounter in an emergency situation.”

To date, over 69 employees have been trained. There are upcoming classes for Standard First Aid/CPR – C and Emergency First Aid in Englehart, North Bay and Cochrane. If you’d like to participate, speak to your supervisor to learn more about the next course date.

We are Listening!Additional Polar Bear Express Trips in December

December is always a busy travel time for Ontario Northland’s passengers. Students heading home, families visiting each other for the holidays and bad road conditions are some of the reasons we see increased passenger volumes in December.

“Passenger trends are observed closely,” says Tracy MacPhee, Director of Passenger Operations. “We analyze passenger data and feedback, travel trends, and local activities to react with the appropriate amount of service.”

Asking for feedback is crucial to Ontario Northland’s success and customer satisfaction. In November, Passenger Services conducted a survey with those who had travelled on the train in the past year to gauge interest in additional service leading up to the holidays.

The survey results were impressive! Industry standards for external surveys have a 10-15% average response rate. This particular survey received a 79% response rate and guided the decision to add two additional Polar Bear Express round-trip services on Sunday, December 15th and 22nd.

“We want our passengers to know that we are listening and putting their feedback to good use,” continues MacPhee.

TRAIN TRAVEL TIPS

• Book as early as possible to get the best rates

• Tag all bags and luggage • Daily dining specials available • Plan for the weather

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Pensioner Last Position LocationPaul Bennett Bus Operator North Bay

Jean Boileau Storesperson North Bay

Jeffrey Borden Engineman North Bay

Stephen Deblois Engine Attendant Cochrane

Bradley Dube Stock keeper - Motor Coach North Bay

James Jordan Dispatcher Englehart

Jeffory King Track Maintainer Porquis

Vivian Roy Bus Operator North Bay

Randall Simpson Track Maintenance Foreman North Bay

Best Wishes in Your Retirement

Girls Rail Trip to Moosonee

Years of friendships and road trips led three friends to Moosonee this summer.

The women, who have been friends for decades have been on many adventures together, white water rafting, tree-top trekking, loads of festivals and markets too!

This particular trip started off with a comfortable stay at the Cochrane Station Inn followed by a train ride from Cochrane to Moosonee where they reminisced about Debbie Tibbles first Polar Bear Express trip over 35 years ago when her father was a locomotive Engineer and Debbie Sloss’ time living in Moosonee.

Sloss’s longtime friend Carol Birnie, a Moosonee resident welcomed the women to her home in Moosonee, giving them a local tour followed by a trip to Moose Factory.

The rail trip ended with a good meal on the PBX lots of laughter, conversation and learning.

Thanks to Debbie Sloss for sharing her experience (mother of Bob Sloss, Manager Finance Shared Services’ at Ontario Northland.)

Ontario Northland visits over 150 communities, something to consider for your next adventure!

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SATURDAY | DECEMBER 7th

Black River - Matheson Arena

SATURDAY | JANUARY 4th

Englehart Arena

Everyone Welcome • Free Light Sticks For All Kids!