Ontario Growth Plan must include needs of Far North First Nations
NAN Grand Chiefs says specific needs of far north must be included in Ontario's Growth Plan
THUNDER BAY, ON, May 17 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy says a provincial growth plan focused on Northern Ontario will benefit municipalities and urban areas, but during development more emphasis must be placed on how the plan will impact NAN territory which spans the far north of the province.
"It's great to see an announcement for plans of economic growth and opportunity for Northern Ontario, however in order for NAN territory to benefit from a growth plan for Northern Ontario the unique needs of the Far North must be considered and accommodated," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy, adding he will continue to advocate to ensure the 49 First Nation communities he represents across two-thirds of Ontario will benefit from development.
Beardy's comments come after this morning's Thunder Bay announcement by Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsay who presented the concept of northern renewal and the idea of attracting young Ontarians to live, work, and raise families.
Ramsay cited some examples of how Ontarians have achieved results in the past by working together, mentioning highway improvements, creation and sustainability of jobs through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, and assistance to the forest industry.
"In the past similar plans have focused on municipalities where there is already a base infrastructure to enhance of build from," said Beardy. "What's unique about NAN territory is we don't have that economic base to build from, which means there's a whole other list of priorities that need to be met in such a plan."
Beardy is also concerned by meeting the needs of stakeholders including business, industry, and environmental groups, NAN territory could be negatively impacted.
"Meeting the needs and priorities of some of the stakeholders of development could infringe on our constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights," said Beardy, adding that if proper legislation isn't in place
(ie: resource revenue sharing), industry could benefit far more from the growth plan while NAN communities will continue to be faced with the challenge of meeting a basic standard of life.
-30-
/For further information: Jenna Young, NAN Director of Communications, (807) 625-4952 OR (807) 628-3953 (mobile)/
++++++++++++
Ministry of Northern Development and Mines - News Release
McGuinty Government Announces Growth Plan For The North Plan Will Promote Northern Prosperity, Tackle Regional Challenges
May 17, 2007
SUDBURY/THUNDER BAY – A new growth plan for Northern Ontario will lead to a stronger, more prosperous North.
“Keeping Northern Ontario strong and prosperous today and in the future is important to all of us,” Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci said from Sudbury. “For our communities to prosper, we need a plan to address regional challenges such as youth retention and the need for improved infrastructure networks.”
A Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, to be developed under the Places to Grow Act, will build on the Northern Prosperity Plan, the good work of the Northern Development Councils, as well as the recommendations from northern mayors.
“We need the North to be able to compete globally by directing investments, planning and development to encourage and support viable long-term growth of northern communities,” added Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs David Ramsay from Thunder Bay. “This plan is consistent with the government’s Forest Sector Competitiveness Strategy and will aim to ensure a balance between economic and environmental concerns.”
Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan, and Ministers Bartolucci and Ramsay, will be consulting with Aboriginal and municipal leaders, business, industry and environmental groups, over the coming months to develop a Growth Plan for Northern Ontario that represents northern priorities.
“We have learned that for such a comprehensive plan to be successful, the approach must be consultative and engage key leaders,” said Caplan. “With their valuable input, we will have a Growth Plan for Northern Ontario that will revitalize communities to be even more prosperous places to live, work and play.”
The act enables the province to designate areas for growth plans. Once developed, these plans align provincial planning and investments to achieve the growth goals of the plans. The first plan developed under the act was the award-winning Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Toronto-centred area stretching around Lake Ontario.
This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results in the North. Other examples include:
- Improving Northern highways by investing more than $1.8 billion over five years in highway expansions and improvements through the Northern Ontario Highways Strategy
- Investing over $224 million since October 2003 through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, to create or sustain 7,800 jobs
- Making more than $1 billion in assistance available over five years for the forest industry
- Committing more than $124 million in 2005-06 to 120 communities through the first intake of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Amy Tang
PIR Minister’s Office
416-325-4048
Lori Theoret
PIR Communications Branch
416-325-1810
Laura Blondeau
MNDM Minister’s Office - Sudbury
(705) 564-7454
Anne-Marie Flanagan
MNR Minister’s Office
(416) 327-0654