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PIerre Poilievre Nov 12 205

Poilievre criticizes media amid questions about leadership style

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre ducked questions about his leadership style at a media event in Calgary Wednesday.

Poilievre was asked if he’d reflected on whether his style had driven two MPs from the party since the federal budget was released.

Nova Scotia MP Chris d’Entremont crossed the floor to the Liberals, while Alberta MP Matt Jeneroux announced he would be resigning his seat.

“My plan is to continue to lead,” Poilievre said. He added his plan was to continue being a leader fighting to make life more affordable, though he did not elaborate on how he would achieve that objective.

A CBC reporter asked Poilievre to respond to d’Entremont’s claims that the Conservative Party was being run like a frat house.

“First of all, CBC has had to correct the falsehoods that they put into that story,” Poilievre said. “So I encourage you to tell Canadians about the falsehoods you published and explain why you did that.”

Poilievre followed that up by quoting a statement d’Entremont made prior to crossing the floor about rising food prices and broken promises made by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

When pressed on the issue, Poilievre again said CBC’s report was wrong and the Conservative Party had corrected the record.

“We put out a statement. We stand by the statement,” he said, and repeated d’Entremont’s statement.

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More Money For Northern Businesses

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The Canadian government is injecting more money into the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.

FedNor is one of five regional development agencies sharing $600 million.

Economic Development Minister Melanie Joly says the money will flow through the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund to help businesses cope with COVID-19.

The funding will help address economic development, diversification and job creation in our region.

Joly says “Many tourism businesses from hotels, restaurants and travel agencies as they are going through a really difficult time.”

She adds the government has heard the concerns of businesses and workers.

Northern Ontario’s share is $6-million.

For more information visit http://fednor.gc.ca/eic/site/fednor-fednor.nsf/eng/h_fn00804.html

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Eric Melillo Not Supporting Throne Speech

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Kenora MP Eric Melillo is calling yesterday’s Throne Speech incredibly disappointing.

“Promising nearly every single broken Liberal promise of the past. So it’s a lot of new spending. Nothing to help Canadians who are worried about their health, their loved ones, their jobs or for those of us who are living in the North.”

The Conservative says Canadians should be very concerned as there is no plan to pay down the deficit with a government pledge to spend even more money.

Melillo says there was very little mention of support for northern Ontario.

“One thing I did hear was, explicitly, that the government was going to continue to further restrict firearms rights. In a speech filled with vague promises and platitudes, I found it was interesting that they chose to explicitly target firearms owners in Northern Canada once again.”

Melillo notes “They were talking about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. They were talking about the need for drinking water, infrastructure, Internet connectivity, many of those improvements. But the thing is these are all promises that the Liberals have made before.”

He stresses the Liberals have been in power for five years and have failed to deliver so he has very little expectations that this will be any different than the times past.

Melillo isn’t speculating if the Opposition will reject the Throne Speech and force an election.

However, he is making it very clear that the Conservatives won’t support it in its current form.

Debate on the Throne Speech begins Thursday in the House of Commons and Melillo will be participating remotely.

To hear more from Eric Melillo, visit the Audio link below.

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Eric Melillo Ready For Throne Speech

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All eyes are on Ottawa Wednesday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivers his much anticipated speech from the throne.

The MP for Kenora says he wants to see a northern economic plan to get this region back on track.

Eric Melillo says “We’re seeing a deficit that we’ve racked up now to respond to the COVID crisis which is greater then almost any other crisis we’ve seen in recent memory. World War II being the only time we’ve spent more percentage of GDP.”

Melillo says “We want to see a plan that puts working families first. But we know we have to provide opportunities for our businesses to reopen for people to get back to work and phase out the deficit in a responsible way.”

This will be a test of confidence for the Trudeau government which is 15 seats shy of a majority.

Melillo stresses his Conservative party doesn’t want to see a federal election.

“We’ve been working in good faith with the government and hoping to see some of our ideas brought forward and we hope they will address some of the concerns that we’ve outlined. I am not going to speculate much beyond that but I think right now our focus is on getting to work for Canadians and ensuring we can come out of this crisis as strong as possible.”

Melillo notes if an election his called his party will be ready to go but their focus is getting Canadians the support they need.

Governor General Julie Payette will deliver the throne speech at 1:00pm.

It’s expected to outline how Canada will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The speech will touch on the continuing health challenges facing the country and how to rebuild the economy.

Reports are suggesting a strategy for electric cars will be announced.

Spending is also likely for vaccines, more COVID-19 testing and containing local outbreaks of the virus.

A long term vision is likely which includes spending on child care, long-term care, affordable housing along with a pledge to stimulate a green recovery.

Then, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be directly addressing the nation at 5:30pm.

He is expected to speak about Canada’s current COVID-19 situation and summarize the Liberals’ new commitments.

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Northern Clean Energy Projects Receive Funding

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The federal government is spending $13 million to support six clean energy projects for northern Ontario First Nations.

Health Minister Patty Hajdu made the announcement Monday.

“People need to thrive, they need to be safe, they need to feel secure, and they need to feel like they have been included in the economy. All of those things actually create better outcomes for all of Canada. This is why I am a federal politician because I profoundly believe that.”

The Thunder Bay-Superior North MP adds “Indigenous people have had centuries of experience protecting the environment. Their solutions to ensuring a strong economy and healthy forests are invaluable. We’ll continue to work with First Nations to ensure they have the tools they determine they need to foster healthy and prosperous communities grounded in culture.”

The funding comes from the Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program: BioHeat Stream.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler knows this will help what is already an uphill battle for his residents.

“Address all of the infrastructure needs of our communities including hydro, power and heating of our homes. Many of our homes in these communities still rely on wood.”

Here is a list of the recipients:
-$1,670,000 to Askii Environmental Incorporated to install biomass heating systems in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation and Pikangikum First Nation
-$2,452,750 to Wikwemikong Development Commission to install pellet stoves, biomass boilers, wood pellet furnaces and wood pellet storage silos
-$2,532,000 to the Nishnawbe Aski Nation to replace existing woodstove heating appliances with upgraded high-efficiency woodstoves
-$1,051,000 to Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek to replace the community’s sawmill diesel heat source with a biomass system and install biomass-compatible heating systems in three new housing units
-$4,168,000 to Sagatay Cogeneration Limited Partnership to develop engineering plans for a biomass co-generation system
-$983,000 to Wahgoshig First Nation to install a forest-based biomass heating system for four community buildings

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Eric Melillo Holds First Critic Meeting Today

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The new Conservative Critic of Northern Affairs and FedNor will officially begin his new role Monday.

Eric Melillo is holding his first shadow cabinet meeting.

The Kenora MP believes he’s suited for the job as he’s aware of the local concerns.

“Now we have the national focus of course and incorporating the Territories as well. So I’ve been having a lot of outreach meetings, talking with folks from across Canada about issues that impact them.”

Melillo expects discussions to centre around infrastructure and support for First Nations communities.

Melillo admits it’s a very interesting portfolio but he’s very excited to take on the responsibility.

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Ontario Energy Minister Still Against Carbon Tax

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Ontario’s Minister of Energy isn’t happy with an Ontario Court ruling related to the federal carbon tax.

Earlier this year the government started putting stickers on gas pumps across the province showing the true costs of the tax but that has now been deemed unconstitutional.

The government says no decision has been made on an appeal.

Greg Rickford believes the provincial action was warranted.

Rickford says “We respect the Court’s decision. We don’t agree with it. To the extent that we believe the people of Ontario need to understand where additional costs are coming. Especially at the point of purchase with respect to gasoline.

The Kenora-Rainy River MPP notes they have documentation showing the carbon tax has resulted in additional costs, especially for motorists in northern Ontario.

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Eric Melillo Preparing For Ontario Caucus Meetings

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The Ontario Caucus of the federal Conservative Party is meeting this week in southwestern Ontario.

Kenora MP Eric Melillo says as the only northern MP among the ranks of the Tories, he has an important role.

“For this Caucus we are really going to be focused on this next session of Parliament and what our priorities are going to be. So of course I am going to be bringing the priorities I have been working for quite some time time. Talking about supports for the tourism industry. Talk about the improved infrastructure and the broadband.”

Melillo also says the Conservatives will work on an economic recovery plan for Canada in the wake of COVID-19, because the federal government doesn’t seem to have one.

He notes we have built up a deficit that hasn’t been seen since World War II.

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Federal NDP Identify Gaps In Childcare And Class Sizes

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The NDP is fighting for funding at the federal level to support families in need.

Leader Jagmeet Singh says parents tell him that they can’t work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singh says people are having to make the choice between staying at home to take care of their kids and not being able to go to work because of a lack of affordable childcare.

He notes the job participation rate for women right now is the lowest its been in 30 years, erasing three decades of gains.

Singh adds more money is needed to address class sizes at all Canadian schools.

He says he believes firmly that no recovery can happen without federal help for provinces.

Singh says “parents and students are worried about the impacts of COVID-19 and we’ve got a responsibility as a society to make the right choices. So we’re calling on the federal government to invest in childcare so parents know that their kids can be safe and there’s a place for them to go.”

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Eric Melillo Named To Shadow Cabinet

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Kenora MP Eric Melillo has been selected to the new Conservative Shadow Cabinet.

Melillo has been named Shadow Minister for Northern Affairs and FedNor.

He says he’s honoured to take on the role to help support the well-being of northerners and fight to unlock the economic potential that exists across the vast region.

Melillo adds he looks forward to working with party leader Erin O’Toole and the rest of the Shadow Cabinet to hold the government to account and stand up for Canadians.

Melillo endorsed the former Veterans Affairs Minister during the leadership campaign.

O’Toole won the vote with 57% of the vote on the final ballot.

Other highlights:
-Andrew Scheer as the party’s infrastructure critic.
-Pierre Poilievre as finance critic
-Michelle Rempel Garner as health critic
-Rob Moore as justice critic.
-Michael Chong as foreign affairs critic
-Cathy McLeod as Crown-Indigenous Relations critic
-Gary Vidal as Indigenous Services critic.

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