QUEEN’S PARK – Bill Mauro, the MPP for Thunder Bay Atikokan says “The NDP voted against legislation that would save Northerners money and help create jobs in the North”. Today in the Ontario Legislature, NDP MPPs voted unanimously against Ontario’s 2010 Budget, which contains significant new investments in Northern Ontario.
Mauro in a press statement lists the initiatives the NDP voted against include:
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- a three-year Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program to reduce the cost of electricity by up to 25 per cent, saving Northern industries $150 million annually;
- strengthening Northern communities by investing $1.2 billion in infrastructure to support 10,000 jobs; and
- $45 million over the next three years for a new project-based skills training program to help Northern Ontarians participate in and benefit from emerging economic development opportunities, such as the Ring of Fire.
“This is an exciting budget for the North. Our government has clearly made Northern Ontario one of the top priorities for new investments in the 2010 Budget. This budget shows that the government is listening to our concerns, and is serious about bringing more jobs and growth to Northern Ontario,” said Bill Mauro, MPP Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
He added: “I have received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from a wide range of constituents who support the province’s plan to strengthen industry, to create jobs in the North, and to help families by continuing to make record investments in education and health care.”
“I’m disappointed that the NDP members have chosen to vote against a budget that contains so many important measures for Northern Ontario. Today’s vote shows that the NDP are more concerned about rhetoric than supporting measures that will help people.”