February 5, 2008 ~ THUNDER BAY, - The Honourable Joe Comuzzi, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, welcomes today’s passage in the House of Commons of the necessary legislation to enact the Community Development Trust.
“This is very good news for workers and their families in Northwestern Ontario,” said Joe Comuzzi. “It shows the Government of Canada is listening. Now we need Premier McGuinty and the Province of Ontario to put partisan politics aside and agree to a plan with the federal government that will address the needs of workers in Northwestern Ontario
The $1 billion Community Development Trust fund is a major new national initiative aimed at assisting vulnerable communities and workers by helping them in this time of difficulty. Among other things, the Community Development Trust will support job training to create opportunities for workers in sectors facing labour shortages, community transition plans that foster economic development and create new jobs and infrastructure development that stimulates economic diversification.
Scott Hobbs, president of the Thunder Bay Superior North ridding association adds that Ontario needs to sign on to the deal before any funds will flow. To date New Brunswick and Saskatchewan have signed on to the Community Development Trust fund.
Ontario is expected to receive nearly $350 million to address the issues faced by many single industry towns in Northwestern Ontario. The Trust will have a three-year lifespan starting when the legislation get royal assent.
The president of one of the region's Progressive Conservative riding association is calling on the McGuinty government to accept the Community Development Trust program so that the funds can move quickly to those who need it, namely the thousands of laid off forestry workers across Northwestern Ontario.
Thunder Bay Superior North PC president and former candidate, Scott Hobbs says he would like to see local MPP's Michael Gravelle and Bill Mauro to make sure Ontario signs on to the program.
"This is clearly a good plan, a solid program, aimed at helping single industry communities like Nipigon, Atikokan, Red Rock, and even to some extent, Thunder Bay. After hearing what he said today at Queen's Park, I believe Mr. McGuinty will sign on, but we need Honourable Minister Gravelle and Mr. Mauro to let the Premier know that we in Northwestern Ontario require that funding as soon as possible." stated Hobbs.