FedNor unjust target of criticism, Rota says

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota says he disagrees with some "local authorities" who believe the riding is being deprived of federal funding.

Rota also said FedNor has been unjustly criticized by those same people.

The Liberal rep was responding to comments regarding FedNor funding made by North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce director Mark King, among others.

“The idea that FedNor applications stemming from this riding are not being given proper consideration is both inaccurate and misleading,” Rota staed in a news release.

“I do believe, however, that the communities in this riding can do more to increase the likelihood of having their FedNor applications approved.”

Rota said he's spent the last three months working on bringing together FedNor representatives and community officials from across the riding "to discuss ways of enhancing all current and future FedNor applications."

As well, Rota said, workshops are now being planned so that applicants can be shown how to best formulate their submissions.

Rota hosted the first annual Nipissing-Timiskaming Communities Summit in mid-January, and civic leaders from across the area discussed ways of "maximizing the riding’s potential, and established a list of common priorities for all levels of government," Rota stated in the news release.

"Improving infrastructure throughout the riding was a common goal, and an increase in FedNor funding was deemed to be an integral part of that improvement process.”

Rota said FedNor grants in Nipissing-Timiskaming have exceeded $1.5 million since the last federal election in June, and he wants to see that figure rise even further.

FedNor’s mandate, the news release stated, "involves strengthening communities by supporting projects which result in long-term benefits including job-creation, economic diversification and enhanced business competitiveness."

Rota said the key is to ensure that FedNor proposals are carefully put together in order meet or exceed the program’s requirements.

“Since being elected last June, I have been committed to ensuring that the communities in our riding receive maximum government support,” Rota said.

“By working together, and submitting more applications that meet FedNor’s specific criteria, I am confident that funding to our riding will also increase.”