The Nipissing MPP has demanded an apology from a member of the Liberal government today for a comment made about Northern Ontario.
After a fiery Question Period in the Legislature, Monday, Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi was admonished by the Speaker for suggesting the PCs “take it outside,” to settle their differences.
Last week, Fedeli says the MPP from Northumberland-Quinte West made a derogatory comment, what Fedeli deems a “Northern slur,” while heckling Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound.
Fedeli says he was not in the Legislature at the time the comment was made but that there is video evidence. Rinaldi initially claimed that the comment was directed at Fedeli.
The Nipissing MPP says that the remark is another example of how the north is viewed, especially after train service has been cut, hydro rates have increased, lumber mills are closing, and the Ring of Fire remains stalled.
Video credit: Ontario Legislature
The comment elicited responses from several Northern Ontario politicians, including North Bay Mayor Al McDonald, who also demanded an apology via Facebook from Rinaldi, saying it was an insult to northerners and diminishes the hard work undertaken to promote the region.
“I do not represent ‘no man’s land.’ I represent the people of Sault Ste. Marie and as a proud Northerner I find these comments highly offensive and I know that the people of Northern Ontario share my outrage,” adds Sault Ste. Marie MPP Ross Romano.
