Candidates sound off on future of Heritage Fund

Despite comments from Liberal incumbent Michael Gravelle, Progressive Conservative candidate Fred Gilbert says the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is not something that differentiates the candidates’ parties.

The Liberal platform, announced Monday, includes a plan to make the $100 million NOHFC permanent. Gravelle, who is running for re-election in the Thunder Bay – Superior North riding, said the decision to make the fund permanent was partly in response to comments made by Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak about whether funds like it are necessary.

"It certainly makes me very nervous," Gravelle said Tuesday. "We do not appreciate some of the comments that have been made, in particular by the leader of the Conservative party, about not necessarily liking economic development fund."

The fund has been raised $10 million per year by the Liberals, Gravelle said. And as someone who oversees the fund as Minster of Northern Development, Gravelle said he believes his party understands how important the fund is more than any other party.

"We want to ensure Northerners that the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund is here to stay under a Liberal government and that’s why we felt it was important to lock it in," he said.
But Gilbert, the PC candidate for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, said his party’s commitment to the fund has never been stronger.

Gilbert called the fund a critical component for development in the region.

"That’s not something that differentiates us," he said. "I’m sorry but Michael is putting a spin on it that isn’t there.

“If you read changebook (the PC platform) it’s very clear that we are supporting the heritage fund."

The PC platform states that the fund helps to stimulate and create jobs and would be protected with a focus on job creation.

Gilbert said a PC-led provincial government would continue to support the fund even if it
doesn’t say the fund would be permanent.

"If you want to twist words, the Liberal platform is full of it," Gilbert said.

Thunder Bay-Atikokan NDP candidate Mary Kozorys said the Heritage fund has mainly been used by supporters of the Liberal party.

"The people that I’ve talked to have considered it a Liberal slush fund," she said.

While the NDP has its own plans for the fund, Kozorys said the party will be releasing the information soon.

"You’ll have to wait until Thursday to hear that."