North Bay needs investment – Liberal MP 0

Northern Ontario needs the federal government to commit to and invest in the Ring of Fire, Kings-Hants Liberal MP Scott Brison says.

Brison, the Liberal finance critic and co-chair of Justin Trudeau’s Council of Economic Advisors, made the statement Thursday in North Bay while on a two-day tour of the city. He's meeting with chamber of commerce officials and area mayors in support of Nipissing-Timiskaming Liberal candidate Anthony Rota.

“I am in North Bay to listen and we're hearing it's a soft economy,” he said.

“We're hearing today about the importance of projects like Energy East which was discussed today, which is an important project from the chamber's perspective. There are also issues around training and the need to invest in training. Cutbacks at Statistics Canada means we don't have good labour market data.”

Brison said North Bay isn't alone.

“Each region faces different challenges. What we're hearing up here is the need to invest in infrastructure, job creation and growth,” he said.

“When the Harper government tells everyone things are going well and you've never had it so good, there's a real disconnect between those talking and the challenges middle-class families face.”

Brison said the national economy is stagnant.

“In fact, the economy flatlined even before plummeting oil prices. We needed a plan for jobs and growth before plummeting oil prices. We need a plan for jobs and growth even more today,” he said.

“The Bank of Canada has recognized the need for action as a result of slow growth and falling oil prices. It has responded with a rate cut and that's a very dramatic action.”

The delayed federal budget is also a concern, said Brison.

“We're entering the next fiscal year with no budget. A budget being delayed until April doesn't address uncertainty. In fact, it creates more uncertainty.”

Brison said Canada needs an economic strategy that invests in infrastructure, people and training.

“Young Canadians are having a real challenge breaking into a real soft job market. We need to ensure they have the skills for the jobs today and for the jobs tomorrow. We have a job skills mismatch. We have jobs without people and people without jobs,” he said.

Young Canadians are struggling, Brison said.

“Families are taking on record levels of personal debt. Families are tapped out and they're facing real challenges trying to make ends meet.”

j.hamilton-mccharles@sunmedia.ca