http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/01/25/nault-cites-importance-of-northern-infrastructure-in-first-speech-at-house-of-commons

Kenora MP Bob Nault spoke on issues of importance to residents of Northwestern Ontario during his first speech of 2016 in the House of Commons on Monday, Jan. 25. Supplied photo

Kenora MP Bob Nault spoke about the importance of transportation infrastructure in the economic and social development of Northwestern Ontario during his first speech at the House of Commons on Monday, Jan. 25. It was the first time Nault addressed the House in more than 10 years since he decided not to run for re-election in 2004.

“Seventy per cent of people in the Kenora riding voted for change (in the October election),” Nault said, noting that 20 of the 42 First Nations in the Kenora riding are not accessible by road.

“These communities are looking for a basic piece of infrastructure that most Canadians take for granted,” he said. “It’s very difficult to build an economy without infrastructure and in the north we’re still struggling to get that basic infrastructure in place.”

He maintained expanding the Trans Canada Highway to four lanes between Kenora and Manitoba is not only a local priority but a project that should be expanded to include all of Northern Ontario.

Nault criticized the former Conservative government of Stephen Harper for cutting capital funding that First Nation provincial and territorial organizations require to effectively govern their communities, schools and health care programs.

“The basic principal of government is to work for the benefit of our elderly and our children,” he said.

He cited similar concerns regarding Conservative budget cuts to veterans services and the Experimental Lakes Area as reasons he decided to return to federal politics after more than decade.

“When I saw veterans demonstrating, I knew we were in trouble as a nation,” he said.

Nault referred to the former government’s proposed closure of the ELA to save $1.5 million as a national embarrassment.

He said scientists around the world expressed disbelief that the government would move to close the renown fresh water research facility to save such a relatively modest sum.

Nault noted the Liberal government’s mandate for change won’t happen in 100 days, or in a first term but will take a decade to achieve.

“It will take time to get it right and put in place, for the long term, changes that will improve the lives of future generations,” he said.

Nault concluded with a reference to the upcoming federal budget that will set the course for Canada’s future.

“The decisions this government will make will flow through the budget,” he said.