http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/
The latest Wynne government budget assumes Ontario will get an extra cash for transit and highway projects
Northern MPs are waiting to see how much funding will be available for infrastructure when the federal government tables its first budget today.
They’re also hoping to get money for the Ring of Fire, a mineral-rich development project on the James Bay Lowlands.
The Liberals have committed to doubling their investment in infrastructure, and Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus tells CBC News it’s the right thing to do.
“Will they put the one billion dollars into the Ring of Fire? If this budget is about getting our economy kick-started and looking at the long term, investing in the Ring of Fire is a no brainer,” he said.
The budget will be unveiled at 4 p.m.
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes said she wants to see the issue of public transportation addressed for people in remote and rural areas.
“They may be investing in subways in the south, but what are they doing for the smaller communities? We’re seeing a decrease in that availability,” she said.
“So we would like to make sure that … there would be a plan there with some money.”
Hughes said she will also be watching to see whether the federal government will fund the Ring of Fire, and if FedNor funding will be reinstated.
In Nickel Belt, MP Marc Serre will be eyeing today’s federal budget with a specific project in mind: Maley Drive.
“This is a project that is ready to go this summer. This is a project that could start right now,” he said.
“And yes, of course, there are other projects that we’re going to look at. There’s existing infrastructure within the city, there’s senior housing. There’s a lot of different projects … but this is the first project that’s there now. It’s there. We’re ready to go. So I’m hoping that, with the support of council, I could bring that to Ottawa and make it happen.”
For the rest of this article, click here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/northeastern-ontario-federal-budget-1.3501926