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The Conservatives' decision to cut spending at FedNor is punishing the economy of Northern Ontario and hurting growth in the region, says a New Democrat MP.

John Rafferty, NDP critic for the Federal Economic Development Agency of Northern Ontario, said the federal Tories have slashed economic development funding in the North and left $8.5 million unspent in 2013-14.

"It is a sad truth, and we are not talking about bureaucratic efficiencies," Rafferty said in a release.

"This cut has come directly from program spending, and it is shameful."

New Democrats say a research note from the Library of Parliament shows the projected budget for FedNor has been slashed every year since 2008-09, and a large amount of the budget to help the Northern Ontario economy wasn't spent.

Nickel Belt NDP MP Claude Gravelle said FedNor's budget keeps shrinking.

"With cuts to jobs since the Conservatives came to power, Northern Ontarians can't afford for the federal government to not invest in the communities," said Gravelle.

"When you look at the cuts, and then take into account the $8.5 million left unspent in 2013-14 alone, it is really shameful Conservatives MPs, especially those in Northern Ontario, are not taking action to help grow our economy."

The NDP is calling on FedNor Minister Greg Rickford to answer for the cuts to FedNor. Northern Ontario has experienced 30,000 forestry job losses, no federal commitment for the Ring of Fire and massive cuts to the FedNor budget since the Conservatives came to power, said the NDP MPs.

sud.editorial@sunmedia.ca