It’s budget day in Ottawa, with the fiscal document coming down at 3:00 Tuesday afternoon.
Kenora MP Bob Nault is hoping that the government doesn’t exclude Northern Ontario.
Nault says a few weeks ago the Northern Ontario Caucus met with the Finance Minister to express what they believe the north needs.
He says he addressed FedNor funding, infrastructure programs and the Community Futures program.
Nault says the north can’t afford to be left behind any longer, stressing we have to be part of the initiatives that the government is working on, nationally and internationally.
On the national front, Nault says he’s expecting that an announcement will be made regarding equal work for equal pay and squashing the gender inequality pay gap.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Don Rusnak feels the budget will let municipalities have more control over spending.
Rusnak says they’ve heard first hand from community leaders that changes need to be made.
He says regional leaders have been looking for flexibility and spending infrastructure dollars where they see fit.
Right now, most funding comes with certain conditions and time-line’s.
Other anticipated highlights in the budget include a new parental leave initiative for new fathers, a boost to science research across the country, and an increase in financial commitments for cybersecurity.
