New Democrats are accusing the McGunity Liberals of ignoring northern Ontario.
Leader Andrea Horvath told the legislature yesterday that a group of municipal leaders from the northwest she recently met with are looking for help in dealing with high unemployment rates and increase usage of social services.
"I met with a group of mayors from the Northern Ontario Municipal Association, and they expressed real concern about Queen's Park ignoring northerners," said Horvath. "High unemployment is wreaking havoc on their families and communities. In Thunder Bay, for example, food bank use has soared by 40%. People are leaving the north in droves to find jobs. Why is northern Ontario being abandoned by their government?"
Acting Premier Dwight Duncan admits there are unique challenges in the north, but noted the province has responded through a number of recent investments to mining, forestry and infrastructure.
