Sudbury region's two New Democrat MPs and federal Industry Minister Tony Clement have opposing opinions about a private member's bill introduced recently by Nipissing-Temiskaming Liberal MP Anthony Rota.
The bill is aimed at turning FedNor into a stand-alone agency, independent of the Department of Industry. It was originally drafted by Sault Ste. Marie New Democrat MP Tony Martin. The bill has narrowly passed second reading, and will move onto the Industry Committee.
A press release put out by the NDP said FedNor "has dissolved into what New Democrats are calling FedOntario, where 1/3 of the budget now flows to eastern and southern Ontario."
"It is a real shame that the only MPs the Conservatives managed to elect in Northern Ontario won't help their own region," said Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle, in a release.
"Other regions in Canada have their own, arms-length, independent agency with full accountability that serves local communities," said Sudbury MP Glenn Thibeault, in a release. "Why is Northern Ontario getting a raw deal?"
Clement said in his own release that saying FedNor is not supporting northern Ontario couldn't be further from the truth.
"FedNor has been, and will continue to be a vital economic delivery program for the North. Creating even more bureaucracy would not be beneficial to Northern Ontarians, it would cost more money and would increase red tape," stated the release.
"One of the main flaws of the bill was expressed by the Speaker of the House. Creating an agency would cost taxpayers a lot of money. Any bill that costs money needs Royal Recommendation and this bill didn’t have it. That means this bill will no longer be voted on and it can never become law."
The federal government is "focusing on programs that actually help northern Ontarian communities and businesses," Clement's release said.
"We are working to enhance business competitiveness, job creation, and to help communities through economic diversification strategies. Never have these types of strategies been more important than they are now, during these difficult economic times."
