Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford is out promoting the Federal budget and its benefits for northwestern Ontario.
Rickford is firing back at NDP member John Rafferty on claims there’s nothing in the fiscal document for the north.
The Kenora MP says funding for FedNor has been maintained but there will be increases in the coming months.
Rickford says the north will also benefit from the Canada 150 infrastructure program.
New money will be coming to fix municipal buildings, community halls and arenas.
He adds the government is also allocating $23-million over five years to stimulate technological breakthroughs needed to develop metals such as chromite in areas like the Ring of Fire.
Rickford notes the government also plans to invest $86-million over two years to support the forestry sector by extending the Forest Innovation Program and the Expanding Market Opportunities Program.
