Regional municipal lobby group sees provincial budget benefits for northwestern Ontario

The President of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association feels that northern Ontario’s interests were represented in the provincial budget.

Rick Dumas, who is also the Mayor of Marathon, admits it could have been greater, but is pleased with what has been announced.

“We were hoping to get a lot more money like anybody in any part of the province, but we understand the government’s priorities, and we believe that some of the key things were addressed in this budget,” says Dumas.

He cites the province’s decision to extend the Northern Ontario Resource Development Fund.

It was established with a five-year mandate to provide funding for initiatives that support economic development.

The province intends to continue funding, with an annual investment of $15 million.

Dumas says the removal of the HST on new homes will also help the smaller and rural communities in the northwest.

A commitment to help municipalities address aging recreational facilities is also seen as important to the region.

“I have a facility that needs funding, and this is a huge aspect of that opportunity for the provincial government to step up and help municipalities, specifically small northern rural communities, that have the hub of their community is their arena complex facility. So that’s very important.”

Dumas is also pleased with the continued commitment to four-lane further sections of the Trans-Canada Highway.

He says they will continue to lobby for further improvements with both the province and the federal government.

“We’re continuing to focus on the twinning of the highways in northern Ontario from the Manitoba border to Sault Ste. Marie, from Nipigon to North Bay,” says Dumas.