Rota tables Private Members Bill

Nipissing‐Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota
News Release

********************

Nipissing‐Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota tabled a Private Members Bill in the House of Commons earlier this week calling on the government to create a new Economic
Development Agency for the Region of Northern Ontario.

“Since the Conservatives took office in 2006, the FedNor budget has been slashed by nearly $7 million a year,” says Mr. Rota. “This Bill is designed to ensure that FedNor will
be not be subjected to further cuts, or elimination altogether.”

Mr. Rota, says that his proposed legislation, which was first introduced in Parliament prior to the last election, is designed to promote economic development, economic
diversification and job creation in communities throughout Northern Ontario.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Harper’s decision to call an election last fall meant that my Bill was never fully debated and voted on in Parliament,” says Mr. Rota. “I am hopeful that the Conservative government will now recognize the importance of this Bill and agree to expedite the process of debating, passing, and implementing the proposed legislation so that the current FedNor regional development program can indeed become a permanent government agency.”

According to Mr. Rota, he and his Liberal colleagues are committed to ensuring that the people of Northern Ontario are given every opportunity to develop and maintain a strong regional economy, as well as diversify and strengthen their employment base.

“Once again, I am calling on the Minister responsible for FedNor, and indeed all Honourable Members in the House to support this Bill, in order to ensure the long‐term
success of FedNor and to guarantee that the people of Northern Ontario will continue to benefit from sustained regional development funding.”

********************