THUNDER BAY – Today, the Northern Ontario Heritage Party gained enough signatures to receive official party recognition in Ontario. Party spokesperson Ed Deibel stated, “Signatures were gathered from all parts of Northern Ontario indicating the dismay Northerners are having with a GTA driven Queens Park. We are looking forward to fielding 11 candidates in next years provincial election”.
The Party says, “Frustration over mismanagement of our natural resources along with the perception that rules and regulation that apply to Southern Ontario’s lakes and forests also apply to Northern Ontario’s lakes and forests, has now reached critical mass. It was inevitable and unavoidable that this frustration would lead to a political revolt.
“For years Northerners have tried to make changes within the current system. They have tried to influence the governments of the day on issues pertaining to Northern Ontario with very little success. Promises are made, but in the end decisions are processed only with the blessing of the masses, namely the Greater Toronto Area. The feeling among our residents is that the decision making process as it applies to Northern Ontario, is most influenced by folks that have never been north of Barrie. This is not only unacceptable, it has become frightening in light of the ridiculous restrictions we now have on our own resources. Regulations have become so restrictive that when a Northerner takes out a boat, snow machine or all-terrain vehicle, or tries to go fishing or for a walk in the woods, they feel that they must be breaking some kind of law or be in some sort of restricted area.”
The task of toppling Liberal MPPs Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle in Thunder Bay are likely tough tasks for the new start-up party.
The party website offers more information on the Northern Ontario Heritage Party at www.nohp.ca/site/welcome/