2021 was a big year for MP Anthony Rota.
He was re-elected as Nipissing-Timiskaming’s Member of Parliament but also won re-election as Speaker of the House of Commons.
“It has been a real honour that the people of Nipissing-Timiskaming have chosen me to represent them again and trusted me to do so, as well, the members in the house chose me to be Speaker. I’m honoured in both cases,” he says.
Rota says the highlight for him this past year is the resilience shown in the face of the pandemic.
“How we have learned to fight on with COVID all around us. Canadians and especially the constituents of Nipissing-Timiskaming have been working hard and they are extremely resilient, something that we can all be proud of,” he says.
Rota says the pandemic really made them appreciate the importance of broadband access in rural Canada, with Ottawa partnering with the province to connect numerous communities in the riding, from Bonfield to Trout Creek.
FedNor becoming a stand-alone agency was another highlight.
“That will open the door for economic development that much more. It will be determined on the ground, so northern Ontarians making decisions for northern Ontarians,” says Rota. “It gives us a lot more latitude to fund and encourage economic growth.”
He’s hopeful 2022 will see them navigating out of COVID-19, making sure the economy is stronger and businesses start hiring more people.
“I’m very confident that that will work well in our riding. There’s a bunch of funding that has been applied for and I can see coming up, whether it’s for infrastructure or housing,” Rota says. “I’m sure that will make a big difference for us.”
He’s also looking forward to the province and Federal government coming to an agreement involving $10-a-day daycare.
“That will allow working parents to rejoin the workforce,” he says. “This is something that will inject about 240,000 people, new workers, right across the country and that will help Canada’s productivity.”
Rota says for every dollar invested in early childhood education, it can generate up to $3 in economic return.
