Bill calls for FedNor to be made independent

A federal Northern Ontario opposition member has drafted a private member’s bill that asks for FedNor to be made into a stand-alone agency.

MP Cluade Gravelle (NDP, Nickel Belt) tabled the legislation, which asks for the Northern Ontario economic development agency to be made independent, Wednesday.

“It’s no accident that my first act in this Parliament is to table legislation that gives Northern Ontario its own independent economic development agency,” Gravelle said.

“FedNor is now couched in Industry Canada and has less accountability than any other economic development agencies.”

Gravelle added that his bill would curb political interference in FedNor.

The program is now under the watch of Industry Canada.

While many ministry critics have said the program needs to be independent, Conservatives have maintained that Industry Canada is an appropriate home for the agency.