Ontario Votes 2011

A General Election will be held Oct. 6 to choose representatives for the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario. Below is a list of candidates by riding in the Wawatay News coverage area.
Kenora-Rainy River:
JoJo Holiday, Green Party of Ontario
Anthony Leek, Ontario Liberal Party
Rod McKay, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party
Sarah Campbell, New Democratic Party
Timmins-James Bay:
Angela Plant, Green Party of Ontario
Leonard Rickard, Ontario Liberal Party
Al Spacek, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party
Gilles Bisson, New Democratic Party
Thunder Bay-Atikokan:
Russ Aegard (withdrew), Green Party of Ontario
Bill Mauro, Ontario Liberal Party
Fred Gilbert, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party
Mary Kozorys, New Democratic Party
Thunder Bay-Superior North:
Scot Kyle, Green Party of Ontario
Michael Gravelle, Ontario Liberal Party
Anthony Leblanc, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party
Steve Mantis, New Democratic Party
Question 1: What is your party's position on the Ring of Fire mineral exploration area in the James Bay lowlands?
Fred Gilbert, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Thunder Bay-Atikokan:
We will champion the Ring of Fire, representing the voice of northern Ontario throughout the entire province. We will convince people in southern Ontario that the Ring of Fire matters to them and remove all barriers to make development more effective and efficient.
Gilles Bisson, New Democratic Party, Timmins-James Bay:
We will ensure that barriers to developing the Ring of Fire are removed so that badly needed jobs are created in the North. We will draft new land use planning rules that protect the interests of First Nations, provide clarity for development and are based on good stewardship principles of the land. We will assist in the development of infrastructure such as roads, rail and electrical transmission lines to the Ring of Fire. We will provide the local workforce with training and education opportunities so as to qualify for jobs at the Ring of Fire.
Becky Smit, provincial campaign manager, Green Party of Ontario:
The Green Party wants to make sure that proper studies and land use plans are in place. One of our key platform principles is community consultation, and we are committed to ensuring the land use planning process starts with engagement with local communities and First Nations.
Joanne Ghiz, northern media relations, Ontario Liberal Party:
We need to work together to seize the Ring of Fire’s benefits just as we always have when supporting Ontario’s mining sector. With our leadership, the entire province will be able to benefit economically from the Ring of Fire. That is why we’ve made sure that the Ring of Fire is an important piece of our economic plan for Ontario.
We’ll continue to work with First Nations, companies, and communities, coordinating infrastructure and planning to ensure world-leading environmental standards and a streamlined approach to approvals.
Question 2: What is your party's position on development in the north?
Fred Gilbert, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Thunder Bay-Atikokan:
We will remove barriers by cutting red tape, getting energy costs under control, ensuring fair and strong land tenure, and developing partnerships to bring the investments in infrastructure that a strong mining industry requires.
Gilles Bisson, New Democratic Party, Timmins-James Bay:
As full partners with a New Democrat government, First Nations will have a real say about how development should proceed on their traditional territory. We will respect traditional values. We will ensure decisions are based on sound environmental principles and provide industry with the certainty it needs to move projects forward.
Becky Smit, provincial campaign manager, Green Party of Ontario:
The Green Party of Ontario commits to working with local northern communities to ensure that future development is done in a sustainable manner that respects local communities, First Nations and the environment. The Green Party also commits to policies that ensure future developments in the North keep local processing plants, associated jobs and revenue in northern communities.
Joanne Ghiz, northern media relations, Ontario Liberal Party:
We’ll work with companies, communities and First Nations to finalize the infrastructure needs for roads, rail lines and hydro corridors to open up the Ring of Fire for development.
We’ll also work to ensure the federal government is at the table for northern communities and First Nations in planning for smart development of the Ring of Fire.
Question 3: What is your party's position on the Far North Act?
Fred Gilbert, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Thunder Bay-Atikokan:
We will repeal Bill 191, the Far North Act, that effectively bans new development in much of the north.
Gilles Bisson, New Democratic Party, Timmins-James Bay:
The Far North Act was passed at Queen’s Park over the objections of First Nations and northern communities. This legislation failed to give First Nations the tools to benefit from resources development on their lands. We will repeal the Far North Act, and replace it with a new Act that is developed through consultation with First Nations, northerners, industry and environmentalists.
Becky Smit, provincial campaign manager, Green Party of Ontario:
The Green Party is calling for revisions to the Far North Act that ensure there is a sustainable resource industry, which respects northern communities and creates local job by keeping the economic benefits in the North.
Joanne Ghiz, northern media relations, Ontario Liberal Party:
Through the Far North Act, we’ll work closely with communities, First Nations, and Industry to ensure sustainable development of the North, including Ring of Fire.
The Far North Act provides for community based land use planning in the Far North. It sets out a joint planning process between First Nations and Ontario, and supports the environmental, social and economic objectives for land use planning for the peoples of Ontario. It also ensures development is done in a manner consistent with the recognition and affirmation of existing Aboriginal and treaty rights.
It ensures protection of areas of cultural value and protection of ecological systems by including at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North in an interconnected network of protected areas designated in community based land use plans.
Our plan is showing results. Roughly 90 per cent of Far North First Nations communities are engaged in land-use planning, and in September 2010, the two communities most affected by the Ring of Fire signed letters of intent to work with the government on land-use planning.
Question 4: The NDP has released a northern plan. Do any of the other parties have a specific plan for the north?
Fred Gilbert, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Thunder Bay-Atikokan:
The Ontario PCs have Changebook North, which was released before the NDP northern platform, on July 14 at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Thunder Bay.
Gilles Bisson, New Democratic Party, Timmins-James Bay:
Ontario’s New Democrats are the only party that has committed to a Northern Ontario Legislative Committee comprised solely of northern MPPs.
Becky Smit, provincial campaign manager, Green Party of Ontario:
The Green Party will support plans that promote sustainable economic growth and long term jobs for northern Ontario. Projects that promote economic development and create jobs, while respecting local communities and the environment will ensure that northern Ontario will have vibrant local economies for generations to come.
Joanne Ghiz, northern media relations, Ontario Liberal Party:
Ontario Liberals’ northern election platform will mean real, measurable progress for northern Ontario families.
Some of the key elements of the plan for northern Ontario include: making the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program permanent; increasing the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund to $110 million and increasing the number of jobs created to 4,000 a year; opening at least eight new mines in the next 10 years; driving the development in the Ring of Fire to support the creation of jobs; providing more family health care for underserviced areas; and streamlining administration of the Northern Health Travel Grant to improve response times and let northerners apply online.