We don’t need more studies about what the North needs: NDP
Friday, August 31, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
GILLES BISSON, MPP
TIMMINS-JAMES BAY
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NDP: Northern Policy Institute announcement is smoke and mirrors
QUEEN’S PARK – Timmins-James Bay MPP Gilles Bisson says the Liberal government’s recent announcement about the Northern Policy Institute has little to do with helping the North.
“As per usual, this government is putting politics ahead of people,” said Bisson. “What the North needs now is real action, and real investment in the future. We don’t need more studies about what the North needs.”
The Northern Policy Institute was created to monitor and report back to government on the implementation of the Liberal “Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.”
It will operate as a independent organization, although initial funding came from the provincial government.
“The $5 million McGuinty is spending on this political game could have been invested in preserving the ONTC, improving healthcare, or otherwise directly improving life in the North,” said Bisson. “The original Northern Growth Plan called for investment in integrated transportation, and yet we are days away from losing the Northlander train, and the ONTC isn’t far being.”
The Institute is supposed to make policy recommendations to government about northern issues.
“This has nothing to do with making northern voices heard. The North has plenty of voices down at Queen’s Park; McGuinty just doesn’t like what they have to say,” said Bisson. “This is all about appearing to take action on northern issues, instead of actually tackling the challenges and investing in the North.”
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Earlier SooToday.com coverage of this story
A positive step for Northern Ontario
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Justin Tetreault 8/31/2012 2:51:20 PM ReportThe NDP only supports studies about the North when it would mean a higher paycheque for themselves for sitting on a committee, I guess.
http://ontariondp.com/en/new-legislative-committee-would-bring-respect-for-the-north-ndp
geterdun 8/31/2012 3:48:44 PM ReportAt least they arent liars and thiefs like the libs.......8 billion wasted in eight years not bad for a goverment who had money in the bank when they started.....Maybe you have an answer for that one Justin?????????
geterdun 8/31/2012 3:58:43 PM Reportops sorry I was way off. make that 18 billion but hey whats a few Billion eh Justin:}
mallet 8/31/2012 4:42:44 PM ReportJustin..
My hero in politics was Winnie Churchill, and his wartime saying was "action this day". Too bad none of the serving politians today have any other agenda but that to blather on until their pensions kick in and they can collect as much as possible at the taxpayers expense.
Wheels17 8/31/2012 5:39:28 PM ReportThe provincial government never really gave a crap about any of us in the North. They just shove their Southern ways down our throats and think they know better than us on how to run things up here in the North. Look at the MNR and the fly-in hunting camps for example. Ontario shouldn't have North and South divisions.
learningaswego 8/31/2012 6:30:53 PM ReportAgreed.
And another we don't need more of are useless NDP politicians.
Grump 8/31/2012 7:21:44 PM ReportWhat planet are some of you folks living on? The Sault has recieved all time funding from David Orazietti and the McGuinty Gov't. We recieved next to squat from the Harris and Rae gov'ts. We finally get representation that brings home the bacon and all we get from some is a lot of whining and complaining. Do you all want to go back to the get nothing NDP, Tony Martin days or how about another Bryan Hayes provincially? The Sault has repeatedly shot itself in the foot and after reading some of these post here I sure understand why.
speed7 9/1/2012 1:19:08 AM ReportI agree that is why we arent going no where as a city. Seems like in most northern ontario ridings there is just too much misconception and voters just dont understand which party suits us well up north. I think we did get a whole lot of stuff with david o too but at the same token not happy with these budget cuts either. I dont think people are getting it that the liberals are trying to balance the budget like they always do. At least the libs have plan . What would hudak's or even worse harper's plan be? Especially for the north? Did anyone see any funding announcments with Hayes that were anything special? No . Millions of dollars going to batchewana and garden river is pretty much it. A few minor things for the sault. Still.... people just do not want to get it! All those terms of tony martin in the sault when most of the rest of northern ontario had a mojority of liberals. Like that is going to help us in the soo. Hell No!.... and our city councillors dont have the pull to do things unless they have the back up of the goverment we elect.
Wobbler 9/1/2012 9:40:59 AM ReportJust in case some people haven't noticed......Sault Ste. Marie is not the only city, town or village in Northern Ontario!! Yes,David O. has brought a few dollars to us, but those dollars are few and far between.
Northern Ontario's unemployment rate sits at 10.2%; while South Central Ontario sits at 5%.
I'm sure the residents of Northern Ontario would benefit more if that $5 million was spent on job creation, rather than yet another committee (likely made up of politicians from Southern Ontario), that won't accomplish diddly squat for us here in the North!!!
XtraKrusty 9/1/2012 11:19:51 AM ReportCan anyone explain why my dog gets a complicated surgery accross the river and is completely healed within days, but a relative gets surgery in Sudbury and now his life is in danger from infection??? sorry its off topic but this isnt the first time ive seen this the lac of funding to everything the North is really showing results!
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