Local visit

The NDP’s finance critic says the federal budget ignores the North.

Peggy Nash was in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, seeking input on the Conservative’s financial plan for the country, looking to bring regional issues back to Ottawa.

“In this budget there’s practically no mention of Northern Ontario,” she said.

“We saw cuts to regional development agencies in budget 2012 which were almost $70 million. What we’re seeing practically is cuts. There’s no new money. It’s a shell game. They are taking money that was downloaded to the provinces in 2007 and now they’re uploading that money to the federal government. They are not investing one new penny in training.”

Nash said there needs to be effective training programs to make Canadians ready for the job market. She also mentioned the need to reach out to First Nation communities.

The budget included $241-million over five years for a job-training program for Aboriginal youth.  The program has been criticized as a kind of ‘workfare’ where the youth only receive assistance if they meet the program’s requirements.

Nash called the program insulting and patronizing.

“That fund was created with no consultation with First Nations,” she said.

“If you want any kind of assistance you have to go into their program otherwise you are cut off. Let’s develop an effective apprenticeship program where young people don’t have to be saddled with massive student debt for going to university.”

While in the city Nash met with students at Lakehead University and members of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. She also spent time with veterans, who she said will be negatively affected by planned regional closures to Veterans Affairs Canada offices, including the one in Thunder Bay. 

Nash is also worried many veterans are about to see their benefits cut.

Nash is off to Montreal next.

Outgoing Lakehead University Student Union president Emma Brightwell met with Nash while she visited the university. One of the main issues that Brightwell wanted to bring up was the rising cost of tuition.

She said it’s a major concern for students across the country.

Brightwell also pressed Nash on what the NDP’s plan was for tuition framework and the different levels of financial support.

“Tuition is not only provincial it is largely federal too,” she said. “I think it’s amazing to have Nash here. I think it really shows that they’re caring for what the students have to say. They realize that students are tomorrow’s future.”

Although other parties haven’t approached them, she added they would be open to speak with anyone about educational issues.

Tbnewswatch.com attempted to contact MP Greg Rickford (Con. Kenora) for a comment but he was not immediately available.