Thunder Bay – New Democrat Leader Andrea Horwath says “Ontario’s natural resources must stay in Ontario to create value-added forestry and mining jobs and give Northern communities and First Nations a chance to share in the prosperity the North creates”. Speaking at Hillcrest Park in Thunder Bay, the NDP leader added, “The North’s natural resources should be creating jobs in the North. Instead of letting companies take our resources and run, we can keep good value-added jobs and industry in Northern communities.”
Horwath unveiled plans to fix forestry tenure rules to give communities more control over wood allocations while eliminating uncertainty in the sector. Horwath also announced that a New Democratic government will amend the Mining Act so resources mined in Ontario cannot be exported if they can be processed in Ontario.
“Northern Ontario has been ignored by Queen’s Park and the result has been lost jobs and missed opportunities. It’s time for change that puts Northern jobs first,” said Horwath. “Our plan to put communities at the centre of forestry decisions while ending uncertainty in the sector will help sustain and create jobs in hard-hit towns.”
Horwath was joined by Thunder Bay NDP candidates Mary Kozorys and Steve Mantis, as well as MPs Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty.
Liberal MPP Bill Mauro will be hosting an campaign kick-off this evening as well.
The election writ won’t be dropped until September, but campaigning is already in full gear.
