In part two of TimminsToday's discussion with federal NDP candidate Charlie Angus, he addresses the forestry sector, the Ring of Fire and why he feels Tom Mulcair should be the next prime minister of Canada.
Q - Currently in the local forestry sector, Ontario trees are being harvested, and then sent off to Quebec for processing. How can we keep more of those jobs in Northern Ontario?
A - One of the big problems with the shipping of our trees to Quebec is the hydro rates, which is provincial.
We've had an amazing number of sawmills shut down in Ontario, partly through the Harper government's mishandling of the soft wood lumber deal, we then had the huge economic slow-down in the U.S. which affected us. But its the hydro prices.
Those mills in Quebec are just more competitive.
We need to restore competitiveness here in Ontario.
We have to do a lot of work to rebuild the vitality of the forestry sector.
Q - What is your stance on the development of the Ring of Fire?
A - I think the Ring of Fire is a very, very important project for development for the north and for Canada.
What is stalling it is a complete lack of vision from the Wynne Liberals (Provincial) and the Harper government has been nowhere.
To build that project, you certainly need the private sector at the table, but you need the First Nations communities.
The communities that are in the Ring of Fire are veritable fourth worlds.
They don't have clean drinking water.
They don't have proper housing.
How are we going to build a mining sector that will create jobs for the coming century if we're not willing to make sure that those communities benefit?
Let's get the infrastructure in, let's work in partnership with the First Nations, let's make sure its environmentally first-class, let's get people to work.
Q - Has the housing crisis in coastal communities along James Bay, such as Attawapiskat, improved in the last few years?
A - We've seen some new housing.
What we need to do is rethink how we do housing in James Bay and other communities.
This is something that every Canadian gets, but somehow governments don't understand.
We had some really good rent-to-own plans up on James Bay, where we see the ownership of homes, where people invest in good homes.
But we also need to start building smart homes.
Building crappy Indian Affairs housing that falls apart the week after the contract is done, that's no solution, it's just throwing good money away again and again.
Its the same thing with water plants.
We can do much better, much smarter development in our Northern communities, but you need a government that is willing to work with the communities, and look at innovation.
That's the ticket forward.
Get education for young people, start with innovation in terms of how we build infrastructure and stop putting band-aids on septic wounds.
Q - The NDP are leading in several early polls. Is this election the best chance in the party's history to form the government?
A - We've been moving steadily forward in terms of building confidence with Canadians.
Jack (Layton) brought us almost to government and it was an unprecedented victory in 2011, going from fourth to second place.
Jack died and Tom (Mulcair) took over and we've continued on that path.
I think whats really clear is that Mr. Trudeau showed that he just wasn't up for the job.
His support of Bill C-51, willing to stand beside Stephen Harper on an attack on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms has alienated a lot of people.
It's going to take a really strong Prime Minister to push back against this Conservative juggernaut and the damage they've done.
Tom has shown that he is that kind of leader.
He's not afraid of a fight, he's not afraid to stand up for whats right.
We just have to keep going until the job is done.
Q - Why do you believe in Tom Mulcair as a Prime Minister?
A - One of the things that has really struck me about Tom, is that he doesn't run after the daily headline.
He really thinks about issues.
He thinks long-term about issues, which is very uncommon in politics.
I've never seen a politician who knows a file better than him.
It doesn't matter what issue that Tom goes to sit in on a meeting on.
Whether its rail safety, or urban infrastructure, Tom will know the facts and have the details memorized.
He takes the issue of public service very seriously and also demands from all his MP's, a really high ethical standard, which I really value.
Q - Why should the people of Timmins-James Bay re-elect Charlie Angus?
A - I made a promise when I was elected in 2004, that I would be there for the communities.
That I would show up, that I would stand up, and I've kept that.
The pace that I keep in terms of travelling between Ottawa, the riding, all of our little communities spread out across a riding bigger than Great Britain, I'm in it because I'm passionate for the communities.
I believe in the north.
I'm a strong spokesman for the north.
I've been recognized nationally for my work in the north, and at the end of the day, we as northerners always vote for someone who is there for you.
I've been there, and I'll continue to be there.
Election 2015
Read Part 1 of TimminsToday's interview with NDP candidate Charlie Angus.
Read Part 1 of TimminsToday's interview with Liberal candidate Todd Lever
Read Part 2 of TimminsToday's interview with Liberal candidate Todd Lever
Stay tuned for more election coverage
