'We deserve much better than this government': Fedeli

NEWS RELEASE

VIC FEDELI, MPP
NIPISSING

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Liberal neglect of Northern Ontario mounts

NORTH BAY - The latest cancellation of a gas-fired power plant contract in Thunder Bay is just the latest in a long list of Liberal insults to Northern Ontario, PC Energy Critic and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.

“The cancellation announced yesterday kills 100 Northern jobs and breaks the Liberal promise to ensure reliable power in the North,” Fedeli said.

Fedeli points to the fire sale of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, the closing of Northern provincial parks, and closure of tourism centres in Northwestern Ontario as the laundry list of examples of Liberal Northern abandonment continues to grow.

“Today, we also see that the province continues to dither with development of the Ring of Fire as Cliffs Resources says it may have to delay its start-up until 2017,” Fedeli said.

“The Liberal record in Northern Ontario has truly become a disgrace.”

Fedeli notes the warning signs for Northerners about Liberal indifference toward prosperity in the region have been there for some time.

“Look at the Far North Act, which puts half of Northern Ontario off limits to development. Look at the Northern Growth Plan, which didn’t include Ontario Northland and ignores anything outside of Sudbury and Thunder Bay. Look at the phony 'strategic alliance' for the ONTC the Liberals cooked up to deflect criticism of the refurbishment contract given to Quebec last year,” Fedeli said.

“When the Premier didn’t attend last year’s Northern debate, and launched his Northern platform in Newmarket, it was clear then that Northern Ontario was an afterthought for the Liberals. We deserve much better than this government.”

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