Leaders are pushing for the creation of an Ontario natural resources strategy, what are the top priorities to help the industry prosper?
First, we need to continue working towards Timmins becoming the site for Noront’s ferrochrome facility. Timmins offers a trained workforce and an ideal site to build this new facility. Building it on the site of the previous Kidd Creek smelter refinery will reduce the time needed to get environmental approvals, and, in addition, hydro/natural gas infrastructure already exists on that site making Timmins a great choice for Noront. Rest assured I will continue to work with the City of Timmins and all concerned to make Timmins the ideal choice for Noront.
Second, and as important, is getting hydro rates under control. As we all know the Kidd smelter and refinery was closed due to the high price of hydro as a result of, first, the deregulation of our hydro system by the Harris conservatives and, second, the privatization of much of our electricity system by the Liberals. Only the NDP has a “Costed Plan” to first reduce hydro prices by 30 per cent and undo the damage that has been done by both the PCs and Liberals to our hydro system. This is key in order to not only help you better afford your hydro bill, but crucial for mining and forest sectors due to the amount of hydro they use in operating their facilities.
Forestry is a key sector for much of Northern Ontario. Our forest management system, first put in place in the early 1990s by the then NDP government, provides for environmentally sustainable forest practices that properly manages all aspects of harvesting including managing species at risk. Maintaining our forest management system and ensuring that the allowable cut available to the forestry sector of 26 million cubic meters of wood is maintained is crucial for the forestry sector to survive and grow. We must also work to increase the use of wood products by changing some of our building codes and investing in research and development to help expand the use of wood products.
These sectors are dependent on a trained and skilled workforce. Only the NDP has put forward a fully costed plan that will invest in our colleges and universities in Northern Ontario. These investments are key to supporting our northern economy.
If elected, what would be your first priority?
As always, my staff and I will continue to work hard to help my constituents, organizations and community groups.
Obviously making Timmins the choice for Noront to build its ferrochrome facility will be one of the issues at the top of my list, along with reducing electricity bills and fixing our health system.
What do you want Timmins residents to know about you?
Over the years I have proven to be an effective representative for our riding at Queen’s Park. My experience helps me to help constituents and organizations. Some recent funding announcements include: two family health teams (one in South Porcupine, the other in Timmins) plus a recently announced Francophone health center to better serve our community’s health needs; current construction at Northern College of a fire training center; renovations of St. Paul school into Pope Francis school; maximum funding allowed under the Connecting Link funding program to the City of Timmins to help fix Algonquin Avenue, the former Highway 101.
People know that I’m always accessible and there when they need me. I ask the people of Timmins to renew their confidence in me by voting for Gilles Bisson, someone you can trust and someone who will get the job done.
