Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus is asking the federal government to get serious about restoring FedNor’s full budget. 30 per cent of its staff has been cut over the last six years, which is on top of the consistent cuts to the budget. He says the agency used to have 120 employees and now they’re down to 83. Angus says projects are being sidelined because of the cuts.
Angus is asking how it’s possible to talk about economic development and diversity in Northern Ontario when the jobs and budget of the agency that is supposed to make this happen are being slashed. He says creating a stronger economy in the north shouldn’t be seen as a partisan issue.