Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle is among a group of Northern Ontario politicians saying it's time for an economic development agency for the region.
The Sudbury New Democrat MP said May 14 in the House of Commons that insufficient funding of FedNor is shortchanging infrastructure in the North.
Gravelle was speaking during the debate of Bill C-309, an act to establish an economic development agency for Northern Ontario.
Gravelle said there are numerous projects that have been turned down in his riding such as the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) with the potential to be a world leader in mining research.
He also mentioned the rejection by FedNor to provide 128 new beds for patients at St. Joseph's Long Term Care facility in Sudbury that would have employed 160 people in his riding. It was blamed on FedNor underfunding.
"It's time to stop treating Northern Ontario like a second class citizen. There are economic development agencies throughout this country that have the capacity to make a real difference in the local economy.
Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault added the federal government fails to see how important mining is to the local and national economy and the extension of the 15-per cent mineral exploration tax credit "is only a small part of the puzzle."
.jpeg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
