The federal government is getting some praise from a Northern Ontario lobby group for boosting the FedNor budget. The budget will see an extra $25-million added to the agency over a five year period. The increase was announced by Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Anthony Rota and Marc Serre, the federal member for Nickel Belt at a news conference in North Bay on April 19th. The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities’ (FONOM) president was at the announcement.
Al Spacek welcomed the increase and says FONOM looks forward to working with the feds to build strong and vibrant communities in the north. Spacek acknowledges that FedNor plays an important role in the north and is pleased to learn the federal government is looking for emerging industries, like clean technology, to help sustain the region. Spacek is also the mayor of Kapuskasing and was especially excited to hear how innovations in mining, agriculture and forestry will help address climate change objectives. Spacek notes that federal officials continue to work on the Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario. The strategy focuses on economic opportunities in an effort to diversify the north’s economic base. Spacek adds the strategy will also help formulate future budgets to spur on economic development in Northern Ontario.
