Ontario Northland Transportation Commission

The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC), a Crown agency under the Government of Ontario, provides transportation services in Northern Ontario through its railway and motor coach divisions. Established by the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway Act in 1902, ONTC's early development focused on constructing the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway, which facilitated regional growth and resource discoveries like silver at Cobalt and gold elsewhere. By 1932, the railway extended to Moosonee on James Bay.

ONTC expanded its services over time, incorporating buses, trucks, and aircraft by 1937, leading to a name change in 1946 reflecting its broader mandate. The agency later added ferry operations through the Owen Sound Transportation Company from 1974 to 2002. However, ONTC divested some divisions, notably selling Ontera in 2014.

In 2012, planned divestment sparked opposition from Northern Ontario communities reliant on ONTC's freight and passenger services. Following negotiations, the government opted to keep ONTC public while modernizing operations. Recent investments aim to reinstate passenger rail service between Toronto and Northern Ontario by the mid-2020s with new trains meeting updated emissions standards.

ONTC currently operates freight rail, the Polar Bear Express passenger rail, and bus services that replaced train routes since 2012. Their past ventures include an airline until 1996 and ferry operations until 2002. This structured approach ensures continued vital transportation links for remote communities, supporting industries like mining and forestry.