By IAN ROSS
The balance of political power in the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) shifted from east to west with October’s government cabinet shuffle and the appointment of Thunder Bay-Superior MPP Michael Gravelle to the minister’s post.
He replaces Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci who moves to Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti becomes Gravelle’s parliamentary assistant.
How are you going to put your personal stamp on MNDM’s policies and programs?
“There are a couple of programs, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is a $60 million program that’s going to be expanded to $100 million. It is has been a real success in the North and I’m excited to be minister at a time when there’s going to be more dollars available for economic development initiatives across the North.
“The other area I’m looking forward to moving on is the growth plan (Places to Grow Act) first done in the Golden Horseshoe Area. We lobbied hard to have a growth plan in place for the North.
Is resource revenue sharing the way to go to help municipalities move ahead?
“That’s been an issue pursued by Mayor (John) Rodriguez in Sudbury and the fact is we believe that agencies such as the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and other agencies geared toward assistance for the North provide a significantly high level of special assistance for the North. Fact is, we did make a commitment on that particular form of resource revenue sharing and frankly that decision is done. We’re not moving in that direction.”
What can be done for the thousands of unemployed forestry workers to help their transition into new jobs and stop them from leaving the North?
“I’m very encouraged by (Minister of Natural Resource) Donna Cansfield approach right off the start. She’s been travelling the North meeting with all kinds of forestry products companies. She’s taking this on and make it clear she wants to help. She talked with the Buchanan Group about their sawmills shutting down temporarily, and is trying to find them alternative markets. She’s inviting them to the table and as Minister of Natural Resources (she) also has programs in place (Forest Sector Prosperity Plan) to provide help on the uploading of costs of forestry access roads.”
What needs to be done on the consultation side to ensure there’s fewer conflict between Native communities and mineral exploration firms?
“The consultation process with the First Nations communities in terms of economic development in the region is very important and one we need to handle in a sensitive way. I view it as an opportunity to work government to government with the First Nation leaders and I’m looking forward to that opportunity.
“I realize we need to show the appropriate level of respect for those First Nations leader and their communities and that’s certainly my goal.”
Can we expect to see higher royalties for mining companies with operating mines in the North?
“The discussion with the royalty tax with De Beers, there’s been a real effort made to set it up, so there are a significant number of deductions in place, so the royalty tax doesn’t kick in until there are significant profits for the companies.
“A typical mine in that situation is going to be paying in the four to seven per cent (range).
“...It is a separate and unique situation with diamonds and a different way of mining. We want to assure other mineral producers there are no plans in place to change the present system.”
“If there’s anything I tend to look at with some trepidation it’s the fact there’s very high expectations of what I can achieve as Minister. I hope to meet those expectations, but I ask for some patience.”
“I recognize only two weeks into the job what a challenging Ministry this is. I thought I was busy as a member of parliament. It’s very important to recognize all Northern interests.”
