THUNDER BAY -- The membership of the new Northern Ontario Party has passed its first formal platform, including a provision that mandates direct democracy on all issues.
Ninety-seven per cent NOP members voted to remove the party whip position on principle to ensure elected MPPs always vote with the wishes of their constituents.
The party will design a standard method to poll citizens prior to every legislative vote.
"The people need to have a say, period," said NOP leader Trevor Holliday, whose renewed movement in the tradition of the Northern Ontario Heritage Party plans to run candidates in all 11 northern ridings in 2018.
"No more of the Legislature saying, 'this is what we're doing.' It needs to be the people having the power and having a say. That's what it boils down to."
The policy was passed among 24 formal positions including eliminating Ontario Power Generation and the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, reducing and forgiving municipal industrial taxation, introducing legislation that would require at least half of mining and forestry resources to undergo value-added manufacturing in Northern Ontario, "abolishing" the positions of public servants earning over $500,000 per year, and putting an immediate start to the proposed Ring of Fire mining development.
Holliday believes no portfolio means more to Northerners than a plan to confront high energy costs. The platform proposes Thunder Bay Hydro take over energy production and distribution for all of Northern Ontario, with an increased focus on hydroelectric generation.
It suggests mandating future solar installations be put on roofs rather than "unsightly solar farms using up valuable farmland" and repealing the Green Energy Act.
"Why is it, in the same province that Thunder Bay Hydro is able to produce a cheaper price than the province itself? A better model needs to be set up," Holliday said.
"We keep looking at Quebec Hydro saying, 'look at their rates' and it falls back to which model is best. It's showing green energy isn't necessarily the best way to go, financially."
The document makes no mention of Indigenous Peoples or First Nations communities but Holliday said he considers the interests of Indigenous people and communities to be addressed similarly to municipalities in terms of legislating increased resource royalties and infrastructure.
"Yes, there are treaties in place but if you ask any Indigenous people if they want to be included in what's happening in Northern Ontario, they'll say they're Northerners," he said.
"We're all one big people fighting the same cause of making it liveable for Northern Ontario."
The full text of the Northern Ontario Party's platform is listed below.
Hydro
- Lower electricity costs for Northern Ontario by having Thunder Bay Power take over power distribution (and production) for all of Northern Ontario, perhaps under a new name like "Northern Ontario Power". Thunder Bay Power rates are more reasonable. Eliminate OPG.
- Sell our excess power to Southern Ontario or the U.S. at the market rate
- Have any future solar installations be on rooftops rather than unsightly solar farms using up valuable farmland
- Eliminate Green Energy Act and revert back to dams etc. More efficient, cheaper and it works. (ie utilize Quebec Hydro as a model).
Natural Resources and Mining
- The creation of (or control of existing) a Northern Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, located in Northern Ontario, run by Northern Ontarians, to promote the best interests of Northern Ontarians. In essence, if created, this ministry would give us control of our own fish and wildlife laws, our own conservation officers, and we would have our own hunting and fishing licenses with the revenue staying in Northern Ontario for the betterment of our lakes, rivers, wildlife habitat, etc. Everyone living outside of Northern Ontario would have to purchase a non-resident license for fishing or hunting.
- We will introduce legislation requiring that at least 50% of our natural resources from mining and forestry need to be manufactured in Northern Ontario. We can expand on this idea later.
- We will revamp and modernize the mining act for the benefit of the local communities. It will be clear and enforceable. We will streamline the process from discovery to mining for the benefit of all concerned parties. We will undertake this by forming a committee with representation from all concerned parties. Revamp the taxes and royalties paid by mining companies to ensure that affected communities and infrastructure is not neglected or sub standard.
- A program paid for by the province to eliminate municipal taxes for ten years for all new manufacturing plants that complete at least 80 per cent of finished form in Northern Ontario.
- Immediately start the Ring of Fire and keeping everything local and not outsourcing the work. Utilizing new policies and laws to benefit the communities.
Health Care
- Grow our two university hospitals in Sudbury and Thunder Bay and attract the much needed specialized talent to these hubs. Other communities would have branch hospitals that could transfer critical care patients as needed to either Sudbury or Thunder Bay. Also, expand the child health facilities at these two hubs.
- Convert old hospitals and other provincial buildings into seniors housing before considering them for other uses or tearing them down. These facilities could maintain a health care clinic onsite.
- Review and Ensure Long Term & extended health care policies and legislature to ensure the best care is provided and is affordable and beneficial to the well-being of everyone.
Government/Legislature
- An elected NOP MPP will be required to vote on issues in parliament how the majority of his/her constituents wishes him/her to vote. There will be no party whip. We will develop a standard polling method that we commit to using prior to all votes in provincial legislature.
- Abolish online voting (avoids discrepancies, ensures transparency and accountability for voters and officials)- Review ministries and properties to ensure best services are provided and where possible, consolidate ministries into one building to reduce wasteful spending on properties, etc.
- Public servants present and future will have a salary cap of $500,000. If currently over that then positions may be abolished and reviewed.
- Eliminate Cap & Trade/Carbon Tax and only have a Carbon Tax placed on imports from excessive carbon producing contries of 10%
- Scrap MPAC in favour of a property valuation system based more closely on the local market.
- Review of the government programs for persons in need to ensure they meet cost of living etc. Review their enrollment, eligability and also the way payment is provided to ensure the best options and uniformity is provided.
Workers/Unions/Companies
- Tax breaks for any new company that establishes itself in Northern Ontario and employs 50 or more people.
Education
- Stop the closing of Northern schools then needing to bus students to larger schools. Transfer more power from the province to the school boards who currently have minimal control over budget.
- When building a new school, consider building a multi-use facility which could include the community library, municipal office, and other community needs. This would save on energy costs and long-term building maintenance etc.
Transportation
- Promote the use of a cost-effective, efficient, modern rail system that could travel on the rail lines as an economical alternative to big diesel locomotives pulling passenger cars. This would help reinstate passenger rail service across Northern Ontario.
- Create and maximize transportation to the majority of Northern Ontario communities and mines.
