Hampton says provincial budget does little for Northerners

News Release
Howard Hampton, MPP

Kenora-Rainy River NDP MPP Howard Hampton says today’s provincial budget is just more of the same for Northern Ontario from a McGuinty Liberal government that’s been stuck in neutral for almost seven years.
“Northern Ontario’s lost tens of thousands of jobs since the McGuinty Liberals were elected in 2003. Entire communities have been decimated. Families wonder how’ll put food on the table and pay the bills each month. Yet the McGuinty government is still stuck in neutral,” said Hampton.
“Worried Northerners who were looking for help are once again being left out in the cold by a government that doesn’t seem to care about our region.”
Hampton pointed to the budget’s glaring shortcomings when it comes to jobs, pensions and healthcare.
“If you’re out of work, you’re still out of luck. If you don’t have a workplace pension, you’re still in limbo. If you’re worried about local healthcare, there’s reason to worry even more,” he said.
Hampton pointed out that even measures meant to appeal to the North are mostly an insult.
“Now that 45,000 forestry jobs have been lost, the government finally delivers an industrial hydro rate – something New Democrats have long called for. Where was this kind of initiative in 2004 or 2006 or 2008 when jobs could have been saved?” asked an incredulous Hampton.
“And the Northern Ontario Energy Credit is like a cruel joke. It won’t even cover the cost increase families will see on their hydro bills each and every month as a result of the HST.”
Hampton added that First Nations communities also won’t see much benefit.
“The McGuinty Liberals like to talk about a new partnership with our First Nations. But the budget only offers vague promises and sketchy details about what will happen with the Ring of Fire, for example. At the end of the day, it’s just more of the same,” he said.