Tony Martin, Peter Denley release NDP's Northern platform

A rent freeze and bans on scab labour and draining of lakes by power-generation companies are all planks in the New Democratic Party's Northern Ontario platform announced today by Sault MPP Tony Martin and Algoma-Manitoulin NDP candidate Peter Denley.

The two (shown in a SooToday.com file photo) released a 14-page position paper announcing Northern Ontario strategies for jobs, health care, public power, education, highway transportation and the environment.

Specific recommendations include:

- investing in more small-scale hydro generation and wind power in the North

- denial of access to Northern natural resources unless companies commit to create and maintain jobs in the North

- a ban on scab labour

- paid tuition for nursing students who will work in the North

- cutting the waiting time for Northern Health Travel Grant payments from 12 to four weeks

- placing a moratorium on Northern community school closures until $2 billion in funding is restored to schools as recommended in the Rozanski report

- protecting tenants by freezing rents and bringing back real rent control

- stopping the privatization of highway and road maintenance

- striking a task force to recommend priorities for four-laning and new passing lanes on Northern highways

- stopping private power companies from draining our lakes

- promoting sustainable forestry by limiting clear-cuts to 260 hectares

- guaranteeing First Nations communities a fair share of revenues from resource development on their traditional lands

Detailed New Democratic strategies for Northern Ontario

Hydro platform Jobs platform Health platform Schools platform Housing platform Safe roads platform Environment platform First Nations platform

The links above contain the full text of all 14 pages of the NDP platform document. The following is the opening letter from NDP leader Howard Hampton:

****************************************************************** Dear Fellow Citizen of Northern Ontario,

This election is about your right to choose the best future for you, your family and the future of Northern Ontario.

All of us who live in Northern Ontario understand it takes government leadership and the power of people like you to build strong communities and create jobs in Northern Ontario.

But the Conservatives don't get it.

They believe privatizing vital public services solves everything and that government has no role to play when it comes to building strong communities.

Their policies have been a disaster for the North: Job cuts.

Plant closures.

Sky-high hydro bills.

Students and the sick under siege.

Communities struggling to survive.

Flip-flopping Liberals are no different.

Just like the Conservatives, they supported hydro deregulation.

They supported the sale of Hydro One and our generating stations.

And they have an open mind about public money going to private schools and private health care.

During this election, Northerners have a choice between two basic ideas:

Will you accept the Conservative all-points-south status quo?

Or will you put the North back on the political compass with a New Democratic new deal that rebuilds our economy, revitalizes our communities and offers our young people real opportunity and hope?

New Democrats have clear, consistent, practical solutions for the North.

hydroNorth: We'll stop hydro privatization and deregulation, move forward with affordable, reliable public power, keep business running and people working. jobsNorth: Our comprehensive Northern Economic Development strategy will retain and attract business activity and good jobs.

healthNorth: We'll make quality public health care available all day every day.

schoolsNorth: We'll make every school an excellent school and give more Northerners the chance to go to college and university or learn a trade.

housingNorth: We'll ensure decent, affordable places to live.

saferoadsNorth: Our plan will mean better and safer roads and highways.

environmentNorth: We'll ensure safe drinking water for you and your family. And we'll keep toxic waste and Toronto's garbage out of our backyard.

firstnationsNorth: Our plan will mean jobs and justice for First Nations.

Publicpower - Practical Solutions For Northern Ontario - sets out a made-in-the-North plan for a future that belongs to all Northerners.

Join us. Let's take back our future.

Yours sincerely,

NDP Leader Howard Hampton, MPP - Kenora-Rainy River