We’ve got to fast forward the environmental and permitting processes for industries that rely on natural resources.
We’ve got to continue to develop a strong relationship with the First Nations.
Evolve FedNor. Give them more of an increased mandate for the North.
We feel there is an opportunity to de-centralize some of the government jobs and relocate them here.
- Dave McGirr, NorthernTel/Team Northern Ontario, Timmins.
They have to understand the forest industry in Canada, which is a huge industry for Northern Ontario, is in crisis mode in relation to the world competitive market.
They have to make more immediate investments to make it viable.
The other side is that the federal government is going to have to get more involved in green energy and renewable sources because Northern Ontario has more of an energy crisis than anywhere else in Canada.
- Dave Canfield, Mayor, Kenora.
We would like to see support for the development of business, supporting the export-based companies.
(The government) should try to make investment in mining exploration more attractive (via flow-through shares).
If you’re creating that type of real-employment, all the mining becomes all the spin-off industries and services that go with it.”
- Peter Marinigh, president, Heath and Sherwood, Kirkland Lake.
The solution for Northwestern Ontario is based on understanding that our problems are unique and require unique solutions. We have the ability, in most cases, to solve our problems without a lot of money. This region was established based on the natural resource based industries. We need access to some of the political decision making in order to get our fair share of those opportunities.
- Jim Johnson, lawyer/businessman, Thunder Bay.
We need policies that encourage the development of value-added products.
It is no longer good enough to cut a tree, saw it up into lumber...and then ship it out. There needs to more encouragement in terms of punitive measures, not to have just two-by-four’s going across the border but finished product.
- Michael Power, Mayor, Municipality of Greenstone, president, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.
In Canada, government should be putting more money back into the people who get up and go to work. More dollars should be given to the regional governments.
Specifically for Northern Ontario, I just think we need to get the attention that other parts of Canada are getting. The policies that are critical to northern Ontario never seem to make front page. I really do feel a betrayal.
- Silvio di Gregario, businessman/developer, Thunder Bay.
They should reduce income taxes for small business and make more money available for infrastructure; sewer, water, utilities, roads and drainage.
- Ron Arnold, president, Dalron Construction, Greater Sudbury.
I would like to see some financial support (for businesses) that is better than what is there right now.
The support could be in low-interest loans backed by the government or reduced taxes for businesses.
If you’re going to tax them to death, after a while the bottom line is there’s not much left.
- Mike Mason, businessman, Timmins.
A minority government really complicates things and we’re not getting any answers. They’re on a different track than most of the world.
What I would like to see in the next election is some solidity in those departments. Some direction so the rest of business in Canada knows what to do.
- Bill Connor, Connor Industries, Parry Sound.
