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Northeastern Ontario mayors issue election statement

Mayor Victor Fedeli hosted the Northeastern Ontario Mayors Group (NEOMAG) executive today where they issued a document titled 'Issues of Concern to the Northeastern Ontario Municipalities Action Group In the 2007 Provincial Election'.


Mayor Victor Fedeli hosted the Northeastern Ontario Mayors Group (NEOMAG) executive today where they issued a document titled 'Issues of Concern to the Northeastern Ontario Municipalities Action Group In the 2007 Provincial Election'.

Kirkland Lake Mayor Bill Enouy, NEOMAG Chair, says topping the list of concerns for NEOMAG is the four laning of both Highway 11 and 17 boarder to boarder.

The full position paper is below.

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To: Candidates from all Political Parties and their Leaders in the October 2007 Provincial Elections:

From: The Executive, NEOMAG

We ask that political party candidates and their leaders develop a platform response to the range of transportation and prosperity issues summarized below in the current Provincial Election campaign.

Summary of Requests:

1) The next Government of Ontario needs to accelerate plans to improve Northern Provincial Highways, including plans to extend the 4-laning of Hwys. 11 and 17 from the Quebec to Manitoba borders, and that such a plan be prepared within 12 months of the new government taking office.

2) The next Government of Ontario is asked to carry forward the issues of operational funding support for Northern municipally-funded airports and improved passenger service as regional prosperity issues at Cabinet.

3) The next Government of Ontario needs to re-visit enlarging the criteria so that all Northern Ontario municipalities are eligible for access to Provincial Gas Tax funds no later than 12 months after it assumes office.

4) The next Government of Ontario ensure that representatives from NEOMAG be actively consulted and formally asked to participate as a key stakeholder during the formulation of a “Northern Growth Plan” and that this consultation occur immediately.


Rationale:

As representatives of some 36 member municipalities along the Hwy.11 corridor from North Bay to Hearst, we appreciate this opportunity to raise several matters of concern with candidates in the coming Provincial election.

NEOMAG has been in existence for over 30 years and functions as a municipally-directed research and advocacy group with a focus on transportation matters.

The Terms of Reference of NEOMAG place our interests under the broad spectrum of transportation policies, programs and facilities as they affect regional prosperity. As locally-elected community leaders, we understand the impact the Province has on the sustainability of our region.

We look forward to a response from representatives of all of the political parties seeking office in the October Provincial elections.

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