PCs would recind Far North Act to open mining exploration

NEWS RELEASE

VIC FEDELI, MPP
NIPISSING

****************************
Liberal policies continue to devastate north

QUEEN’S PARK - Northern Ontario is at a tipping point thanks to the policies of Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal government, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.

“The uncertainty over the future of Ontario Northland coupled with the Far North Act will have very adverse affects for exploration in the North,” said Fedeli.

The Far North Act puts almost half of the North - 225,000 square kilometres - off limits to exploration.

“Indeed, if this legislation had been in place sooner, we wouldn’t have seen the Ring of Fire discovered - the largest mining find in a century,” said Fedeli.

Fedeli added that three of the world’s largest exploration companies, several smaller exploration firms, and 70 mining and manufacturing companies call Nipissing home, and warned any further instability could have adverse affects on that industry.

“Having the Liberal government cut exploration in half will certainly have a negative impact on these businesses. Our party would rescind the Far North Act and secure a strong market for exploration,” said Fedeli.

Fedeli also noted that on his recent tour of Northern Ontario, one customer of Ontario Northland said they’ve delayed a $10 million expansion simply due to uncertainty caused by the government’s lack of a plan for its fire sale of the ONTC.

Our party would modernize Ontario Northland by appointing a board with transportation expertise and move responsibility for the ONTC from the Ministry of Northern Development to the Ministry of Transportation.

“The Liberals have created economic instability in the North, and don’t seem to care to do anything about it,” said Fedeli. “We need a new direction from this government, and soon, to stave off any further economic fallout.”
 
****************************