Budget a boost for FedNor, Rota says

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says Northern Ontario will benefit from spending increases announced today by federal Finance Minister Ralph Goodale in his first budget.

Further information is included in the following news release issued this evening by Rota:

(Ottawa)
Member of Parliament Anthony Rota (Nipissing-Timiskaming) says he’s very pleased with today’s Federal Budget Announcement, and feels that it will greatly benefit the constituents of his riding.

“Today’s budget takes a balanced approach to government spending, tax reduction, and debt relief,” says Rota.

The budget, which was tabled by Finance Minister Ralph Goodale earlier this afternoon, is the first since Rota’s election to Parliament last June.

According to Rota, “Canadians expect the Liberal government to take major steps to deliver on its campaign commitments, and that is exactly what today’s budget does.”

Rota says that he is ‘especially pleased’ that today’s budget will provide $88 million in funding over the next five years to the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor) to support the economic development of communities throughout Northern Ontario.

“By making a permanent increase of $12 million per year to FedNor’s budget, communities in Nipissing-Timiskaming stand to gain immensely” says Rota.

The Government also announced that it will provide $12.8 billion in funding to Canada’s Armed Forces over the next five years, marking the largest increase in defence spending in the last 20 years, and Rota feels that “This renewed commitment to DND is both necessary and long overdue.”

Rota says that “Ontario municipalities can also look forward to receiving more than $1.9 billion over the next five years in federal gas tax revenue, which will mean better roads, improved transit systems, and more sustainable infrastructure.”

According to Rota, “The Liberal Government has made important commitments to Canadians on key social and economic priorities, and the strong fiscal framework outlined in today’s budget ensures that we do not spend more than we have or mortgage tomorrow’s needs on today’s wants.”