Another Ontario Liberal leadership hopeful looking to woo support from northern Ontario with a strategy specific to the region.
Former minister Steven Del Duca outlined what he calls the Ontario North Action Plan during a visit to Thunder Bay this week.
The plan calls for the expansion of the Trans-Canada Highway to four lanes across its entire length. Del Duca also wants to ensure all residents in the north have access to a nurse practitioner or doctor within 48 hours.
Other highlights include:
- Supporting projects that drive development and electrification in the remote north, including through the establishment of a dedicated community infrastructure fund for northern and on-reserve communities.
-
Cancelling the Ford Government’s cuts to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and establishing a stream of the NOHFC to support northern Ontario businesses in selling to nearby export markets that are closer than southern Ontario, including customers in Quebec, Manitoba and adjacent US states. Steven will index annual allocations to the NOHFC to inflation so that the fund retains its purchasing power.
- Increasing the Northern Ontario Energy Credit and expanding eligibility for this benefit.
- Establishing in northern Ontario the headquarters of government agencies and ministries.
- Working with the Federal Government and northern communities to ensure settlement of skilled immigrants in the north.
- Empowering existing regional leadership and planning groups in Northern Ontario to coordinate regional transit planning and funding in these regions. Supporting these groups with initial planning funding and expertise in transit building.
- Establishing the Ontario Rural Growth Strategy, which will establish Community Economic Development Credits and Opportunity Zones in rural communities in Northern Ontario.
MPP Michael Coteau unveiled a similar plan when he visited the reiogn last month.
Del Duca and Coteau are running against Mitzie Hunter, Alvin Tedjo, Kate Graham and Brenda Hollingsworth for the top job in the party.
The Liberal Party of Ontario will elect a new leader on March 7th.
