THUNDER BAY -- There could be a lot in the Liberal government's first federal budget for Northern Ontario but only time will tell.
The budget projects a $29.4 billion deficit next year, with no sign of surplus through 2021. For the north, that money could come through $2.4 billion in changes to employment insurance, an $11.9 billion first phase infrastructure plan and $8.4 billion for First Nations.
On the insurance changes, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president Charla Robinson said along with an five-week extension for benefits, Northern Ontario is one of 12 regions across the country that could see some workers have benefits extended by another 20 weeks.
"I think that's really quite helpful in our challenging economic times," she said.
With $3.4 billion of the $11.9 billion over five years heading to public transit, Robinson said some of that could help Bombardier.
"And create jobs in Thunder Bay," she said.
MP Charlie Angus (NDP, Timmins-James Bay) said he's concerned that none of the infrastructure plan so far mentions rural or Northern municipalities. If funding is based per capita, big cities will end up with a lion's share of the funding.
"We have distinct and different infrastructure needs in the North," he said. "I'm surprised we didn't see anything specific about Northern infrastructure. I'm hoping we can work with them."
Angus said he sees a Liberal government that's willing to sit down and listen to ideas from other parties.
"This is a government that's much more willing to talk and take ideas, which i think is very helpful," he said.
With a nearly $30 billion deficit though, Angus said this budget shows a lot of surprising gaps. All that money being spent could have gone further.
"I really get a sense that this is a government that doesn't have their sea legs," he said.
No mention of Fednor, which although he's confident the money will be there Angus said still sends a disturbing signal, or the Ring of Fire are two major surprises in the budget for Angus.
"I don't understand that. If this is a budget that is supposed to be unsexy, about creating the infrastructure to kickstart our economy then where the heck is the commitment to the Ring of Fire? I'm just shocked," he said.
Liberal Thunder Bay MPs Patty Hajdu and Don Rusnak won't be available for comment on the budget until Wednesday morning.
