FedNor "working very well," Clement

Don't expect any major structural changes at FedNor or bank on any funding increases for Northern community development agencies, says new federal Industry Minister Tony Clement.
The Parry Sound-Muskoka MP, who oversees the Northern Ontario economic development funding agency, was switched in Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent cabinet shuffle from Minister of Health over to the Industry portfolio.
Clement held the FedNor job even as Health Minister since he was the Conservative government's senior cabinet minister in the region.
Clement said he's not prepared to answer any questions on whether operating capital for the 61 Community Futures Development Corporations across Ontario can be beefed up with multi-year funding commitments until after Finance Minister Jim Flaherty releases his economic statement in late November or early December.
"That will give us a chance to understand and assess where we are fiscally in this country," Clement said. "I'm not ruling anything out, but at the same time it's important to me to signal there's not a big pot at the end of the rainbow that's going to be distributed anytime soon."
Clement said given the challenging global economic crisis, his government is committed to balancing the federal budget, keeping taxes low and investing in big infrastructure programs.
He challenged critics who say FedNor administrative offices in Stratford and Peterborough are siphoning off funds that should be earmarked for the North. Because FedNor is the only delivery agent for other Ontario regional development programs,separate funding envelopes are earmarked for eastern and southern Ontario. "Not a penny" comes out of Northern Ontario's share, said Clement.
"To suggest somehow that's robbing Peter to pay Paul or we're taking a dollar out of Northern Ontario is not true."
Some government critics, including Sault Ste. Marie MP Tony Martin, have campaigned for FedNor to be transformed into a full-blown regional development agency similar to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Clement wouldn't commit any major facelift for the Sudbury-headquartered organization.
"FedNor's working very well right now. It's doing its job to ensure that Northern Ontarians get extra dollars for economic development, so the key thing is not the structure," said Clement. "I'm really focused on delivering excellent services for Northern Ontarians."