Liberals again ignore northern communities

Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli
News Release

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Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli stood to voice concerns of Nipissing communities over the way the Liberals plan to decide who gets funding from their rural and northern infrastructure fund.

Fedeli delivered a Members’ Statement today on a resolution passed earlier this month by North Bay City Council.

The prepared text of his statement is as follows:

Speaker, I stand today to relay the concerns of the City of North Bay and other communities in my riding regarding the government’s Small, Rural and Northern Municipal Infrastructure Fund.

Council in North Bay notes that despite consultation sessions hosted by the Ministry of Infrastructure, where it was clearly communicated by the majority of stakeholders that a per capita formula for sustainable funding was preferred over a competitive or application approach.

On October 15, North Bay council resolved to ask the Premier and Minister – quote – “to reconsider their approach to the allocation of year 2 and 3” of the fund in favour of the option supported by the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities.

This government has set up a system where it will pick the winners and losers and to pick the areas to parachute cash into where it will benefit the Liberal party at election time.

Once again, this government has failed to listen to the needs of the North. It’s time for a new government that will.



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