Thanks for posting.

Headline says:"As the Ontario election gets underway, Ontairo Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne faces opposition not only from the rival Conservatives and NDP, but also the federal Conservative government - and that might be part of her strategy. Mark Blinch/Canadian Press"

Not sure if there is any gains, in terms of getting votes, by attacking the Feds in the strategy (underlined part).

- Pension: One item seems to be the $3.5B pension in the budget proposal, that could perhaps be linked to Ont PC. Presumably, Premier Wynne is saying the PC at both levels would not support pension reform in her budget, but getting $3.5B by taxing workers and businesses may not be popular to the workers, the NDP, and voters in general. Everybody would want better pension payment (positive) but presumably not coming from their own pocket (negative). So, what's the point in attacking the Feds on this item?

- RoF: Again, what's the point in picking a fight with the Feds on their potential contributions (matching funds, etc...). If she won the election there would be no gains in having an up-tight Feds. Would it be better just to pick a fight with the local PC in Ontario, or the NDP on RoF development?

On the record, she/Gravelle announced that the Lib Gov was willing to commit $1B and will continue to say so during the campaign (conditioned on winning the election). But, this $1B is a small sum in the big scheme in her budget. The PC could easily announce their commitment to RoF with a similar amount, or perhaps even a larger amount, say $1.5B for roads EW, NS, and RR, etc. along with some kind words expecting the generous contribution from the Feds. In return, the Feds (Messrs Oliver, Rickford, or even PM Harper) would jump in with some encouragement. Mr. Hudak could then (1 day later) submit a detailed proposal for part of the RoF development plan, e.g. the EW road (could be either the NOT original proposal, or the alternate EW road with connections to Eabametoong, Marten Falls, and other FN communities) to kick start the development: to build the NOT Ni mine and to bring supplies and equipment up for building the NS RR from various staging areas with the aim to transport the chromite out (Ni could be shipped by rail as well, cheaper than trucking). The Fed could drop a few hint saying that "this is wonderful" and indicate support to this PC proposal by promissing some initial funding to the new PC government (more votes for PC, especially the riding in Ontrio North).

Many other things wrt the RoF will unfold including a proposal to convert the Development Corp into a Fed Port Authority. Perhaps, the Lib is walking into this obvious (PC) trap without knowing it.

Bottom line: Development of the RoF is a given. Money will be available (faster if Ontario has a PC Premier from my tea leaf reading).

From now until 12 June it's politics at play as usual, and we just wait for the outcome. One month is not a long wait. It has been years.

goldhunter