TIMMINS – Politics – Timmins Councillor Steve Black has decided to pursue provincial politics and take incumbent NDP MPP Gilles Bisson to task on his lack of success in bringing Timmins-James Bay its fair share of Government funding and his consistent failure in battling for the region. Black cited the need for a strong voice at Queens Park to act on jobs, regional resource development and the economy in his decision to pursue the nomination.
“We’ve seen Provincial Parks closed, more financial responsibility downloaded to our municipalities”, states Black. “Divestiture of key infrastructure with the ONTC, as well as the cancellation of our link funding, used to maintain our highways, while they are falling to pieces”.
“It is disappointing that while our region continues to lose out on these key concerns; hundreds of millions of dollars are wasted on items like the gas plant cancellations, yet Mr. Bisson and the NDP party continue to support the Liberal government. Northern Ontario has been ignored for far too long. Considering everything that has gone down, the only things that seem to be going up in our region under the NDP-Liberal Government are electricity prices, taxes, and red tape.“
Black referred to wanting his children to be able to grow up, live and stay in the North.
“I want to help make this region, a place where I can watch my children grow up and experience the quality of life that we all deserve. I want them knowing that the province is financially stable and there are many jobs and opportunities for them close to home.”
Black is a professional engineer that attended Queen’s University and obtained a degree in Mining Engineering. After a co-op at Kidd Creek Mine, he agreed to return to Northern Ontario after finishing his degree. He has been actively involved as a minor hockey coach for 6 seasons in Timmins and Schumacher and has a passion for the lifestyle that this region has to offer. He is currently the Superintendent of Production Engineering at Xstrata, a Timmins Councillor for Ward 5, and father to two children.
Black has been an outspoken member on Timmins City Council on numerous local issues. He sits on the Mattagami Region Conservation Authority Board, Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, Porcupine Health Unit Board, Timmins City Library Board and the city’s Strategic Planning Committee.
The nomination meeting will place Saturday April 27 at 2:30 pm at Travelodge Timmins in Conference Room #2.
