For the second time in less than two weeks, a pre-budget consultation was held in Kenora. This time it was for the federal government.
Cabinet minister Mona Fortier, who hosted the meeting, says housing was a big issue for almost everyone involved.
“The strong message is that we have to strengthen our housing system,” says Fortier. “We do have a national housing strategy but we need to be more open to changing and being more flexible to the needs of this community here.”
She says the shortage of skilled tradespeople in northwestern Ontario was talked about several times.
“Considering that jobs are important and that there are many shortages I’ve been hearing in many sectors, we need to strengthen maybe how the education can be done in northwestern Ontario.”
Fortier says a lack of quality child care was also brought up.
“Supports for families to be able to go and work…the Women’s Centre was very clear on saying that child care, safe child care, is something that’s deeply needed. I’ll bring that back as a reality.”
The Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, who also serves as the Associate Minister of Finance, heard from local municipalities, first nation leaders, mental health and substance abuse experts and several other agencies during her visit.
