TORONTO - Today, Infrastructure Ontario released a request for proposals (RFP) inviting pre-qualified buyers to submit formal proposals to purchase, manage and operate Ontera, the first of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) business lines to be put up for sale.
The sale of Ontera will help provide further private sector investment to Northern Ontario where Ontera offers local and long-distance telephone service and cellular and internet service to homes and businesses.
The successful buyer must comply with the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulations with respect to mandatory service obligations.
Buyers who pre-qualified in the first step of the sales process - the request for qualifications stage - were approved by the ONTC board for participation in the request for proposals. In their proposals, pre-qualified buyers will be required to commit to key conditions of the request for proposals, including regulatory service requirements.
Once proposals are received, Infrastructure Ontario, the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, and the ONTC will evaluate the bids, choose one or more preferred proposals, and then negotiate a final contract. The process will be overseen by a fairness monitor and the successful buyer will be announced in spring 2013.
The sales process implemented by Infrastructure Ontario is competitive and fair and ensures the buyer selected for Ontera is best able to meet provincial priorities.
“Today marks another step forward in the divestment of the ONTC, and towards our goal of ensuring sustainable transportation and telecommunications services in the North - now and in the future,” said Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Northern Development and Mines. “This thorough and competitive sales process will ensure the buyer selected for Ontera is best able to meet our priorities to deliver telecommunications services, stimulate the economy, sustain jobs, and provide value for taxpayers.”
Infrastructure Ontario is working with the ONTC and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to implement ONTC's entire divestment process.
Infrastructure Ontario (IO) is a Crown agency of the Province of Ontario that delivers large, complex infrastructure renewal projects on time and on budget. Over the last six years, the province has applied the Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) model to 79 major projects valued at approximately $30 billion dollars. To date, AFP projects have provided taxpayers with an estimated savings of $3 billion dollars. IO also 2 manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada, provides municipalities and eligible public sector clients with financing to renew public infrastructure, and leverages its private-sector expertise to manage major commercial transactions on behalf of the province.
Learn more about Infrastructure Ontario at www.infrastructureontario.ca.
Contacts:
Paulette den Elzen
Infrastructure Ontario
416-327-5764
Laura Blondeau
Minister's Office, Ministry of Northern
Development and Mines
416-327-1421