NetNewsledger.com

Thunder Bay, ON -- In Halifax today at their annual convention, New Democrats unanimously endorsed the creation of a standalone economic development agency for Northern Ontario. The resolution also addressed improving overall accountability of regional economic development agencies around the country.

“As a party, we have put forward a positive solution to the economic challenges facing many regions of the country,” said Claude Gravelle, the NDP’s critic for the Federal Economic Development Initiative of Northern Ontario (FedNor). “By reforming our regional economic development agencies, communities will be strengthened and our local economies will have the opportunity to diversify and grow.”

FedNor is currently a department within Industry Canada and not a stand-alone regional economic development agency like the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.  Due to its lack of independence and resources many worthy projects, such as the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, have been denied funding.

“We need a FedNor that can adapt to our changing economy and ensure economic survival for Northern Ontario workers and their families,” said Gravelle. “FedNor’s mandate needs be developed locally by the people of Northern Ontario and take into account both economic and social needs of our region.”

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