The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), in a news release today says it sent requests back on November to the three main political parties in the province, seeking their vision for Northern Ontario, but that the sole party to respond to date is the Progressive Conservative Party..
“While we wait to hear from the Ontario Liberal Party and the Ontario New Democrats about their platforms for Northern Ontario, we are encouraged by several commitments made by the Progressive Conservatives,” said Mayor Alan Spacek of Kapuskasing and President of FONOM.
"Specifically, they committed to bringing back the Ontario Northlander by the end of their mandate, reverse increases to the aviation fuel tax for all Northern airports, invest in a mobile PET scanner for Northern Ontario and repeal the Far North Act which was a sweeping piece of legislation that ignored Northern voices and stood in the way of economic development opportunities.
But what about the Northern Ontario Party?
They weren't contacted and leader Trevor Holliday told Baytoday that FONOM should be seeking answers from other political parties as well.
"People say we're a regional party but why aren't we being brought to the table especially when we're making a lot of headway. We have a lot of work to do and walls to knock down but what it boils down to is we're going to be facing this until we get at least one person in power and when that happens we'll start getting the respect we deserve.
"They should be reaching out to all the parties, not just us but anyone who would run a candidate."
Northern Ontario is home to approximately one-third of Ontario’s municipalities and also includes nearly 90 percent of the province’s landmass adds the release. The region also faces unique challenges, which require a different approach than the rest of the province.
“We believe that all three parties should have a plan for the North. Hearing campaign promises about transit in the GTA for example has little relevance to those living and travelling in Northern Ontario,” continued Spacek.
