'Northern Ontario can reach its potential,' Fedeli

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli
News Release

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For over a decade, the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals have failed to recognize that Northern Ontario is the next frontier in job creation and the expanding edge of the economy, Nipissing PC MPP Vic Fedeli said today while touring J and J Machine Works in North Bay.



“The North has the resources that could fuel a growing North American economy: abundant mineral resources, vast forests and emerging high-tech hubs,” Fedeli said. “But instead of creating the right environment to help our businesses thrive, the Liberals have thrown up a thicket of red tape – rules and regulations that are strangling our potential.”



Fedeli noted this issue forms the basis for the keynote address from Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association today in Thunder Bay.



“Right now, we have a Toronto-centric government that would prefer to turn the North into a museum, rather than take action to help create jobs for the women and men struggling in our hometowns,” Fedeli continued.



In contrast, the Ontario PCs know that several key steps are necessary before the province can attract investments to the North, including:



· treating Ontario Northland as economic infrastructure that opens up jobs and creates wealth,

· lower taxes, affordable energy and uprooting red tape for all Ontario businesses, to boost demand for Northern products and resources,

· leadership and a plan to light up The Ring of Fire,

· more local authority over the development of Crown land and the placement of industrial wind farms – for decision making for the North – by the North,

· streamlining regulation to kick-start new mining operations, and

· priming the forestry industry for an expected rebound in demand with a transparent tenure system and a guaranteed level of supply.



“Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Liberals have made it clear that the North is not a priority for them,” Fedeli concluded. “It’s time for a government that respects – and reflects – Ontario’s North.”

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