Leaders are pushing for the creation of an Ontario natural resources strategy, what are the top priorities to help the industry prosper?
I believe that our first priority with natural resources are to ensure that the north receives an equal if not a majority share of the profits of these resources. If all the work is done here, if all the resources are taken from here, then compensation equal to loss incurred is owed to the region. We also need to update the acts that include our natural resources that allow us to easily add secondary and tertiary industries using bulk from the primary industry. (I.e, quartz is a natural bi-product within the mining industry, replanting of trees for the forestry sector)
If elected, what would be your first priority?
My first priority would be to the broken system of mental health. Everyday more and more people in the north are suffering from mental health issues. I would ensure that the system is revised in such a way that mental healthcare will be easier to access for those suffering from illness related to mental health. By ensuring that private healthcare will also accept OHIP coverage as well as ensuring that those working in the profession can more accurately push for immediate mental health assistance (currently the only true way to ensure that you are accepted for mental health is to state that you are going to hurt yourself or others) and only then will you be immediately accepted, I believe this to be wrong. It needs to be simplified so that merely asking for help gets you the help you need.
What do you want Timmins residents to know about you?
Though I have not lived here my whole life I have seen what the last 13 years have brought us. I have seen closures of mills, mining resources outsourced out of our province, sales of hydro dams, I have seen and experienced less and less jobs. I have experienced the direct results of out of control spending, and I have seen our collective mental health decline. I want the people of Timmins to know that I may not be a politician, but I am dedicated, and I want to fight for them, give me the opportunity and I will bring more business resources, jobs, and a healthier economy back to you.
