Minister Defending MNR Restructuring

The Minister of Natural Resources says the NDP is misleading Northerners on MNR transformation.
David Orazietti is responding to a recent media release from an NDP member that MNR internal reorganization will hurt Northern Ontario by downsizing staff.
Orazietti says the government permanently returned $40-million to MNR base funding in the 2013 budget.
He notes the government is keeping all area offices open and creating 36-positions across northwestern Ontario and 68-positions across the northeast.
Orazietti adds the province has also made a recent $47-million investment to modernize MNR Fire bases as well as purchase a flight simulator for the 9 CL-450 waterbombers they have in their fleet.
Orazietti notes the simulator means staff won’t have to travel to B.C. or Quebec to receive training.
He also notes that during the 1990’s the NDP government hacked more than $107-millions from the MNR budget and 23-projects and offices were closed across the province.
Local MNR staff indicate that some restructuring has taken place in recent weeks with some receiving layoffs, some taking early retirement and some asked to apply for a streamlined position.