Ontario’s Liberals will have to prove to northerners they understand their concerns if they wish to shore up support in that area for the upcoming election.
The Federation of Northern Municipalities says it’s tired of having laws and policies passed without any real input from the people they affect.
Federation President Al Spacek says misguided wood allocation policies, high hydro rates and unpredictable infrastructure funding are all hurting the northern economy, and the government isn’t listening to communities when they ask for changes.
New Democrat Gilles Bisson says there’s an overwhelming sense of disappointment with the way the Liberals have handled the economic woes of the north — and he predicts there won’t be one safe Liberal seat in the area this election.
Minister of Northern Development Michael Gravelle says he knows there’s more work to be done in the north, but there are also exciting opportunities in mining and forestry, which the government has created.
The consultation system may not be perfect, Gravelle says, but adds there’s never been a government more sensitive to northern interests than that of Premier Dalton McGuinty
