Press Release
Ontario needs to develop a strategy to ensure all communities in the northwest have a ready supply of affordable and reliable electricity, says local MPP Sarah Campbell.
Speaking in Queen’s Park, Campbell raised concerns that northern communities are not being treated equally when it comes to basic infrastructure—something that has to change.
Campbell pointed to two different but important examples of how the province is failing northern communities by not addressing the issue: remote First Nations and northern communities.
In the case of First Nations, Campbell said current infrastructure, which relies on diesel generators and fuel supplied along the winter road network, is holding communities back.
“Most remote First Nations are prohibited from building new houses to ease their housing shortage, building new schools that are healthy and mold-free, and upgrading their water and sewer systems to address serious environmental concerns—all because of the limitations of their electricity system,” she noted.
“[But] remote First Nations communities aren’t alone,” she added. “Communities like Red Lake and Pickle Lake face ongoing supply and reliability issues when it comes to power, as well.”
Campbell said the double-standard that exists between the northwest and other parts of the province is not acceptable.
“When communities approach the provincial government and ask to have these basic needs addressed, they are told to present a business case,” she remarked.
“Which begs the question: why do we in the northwest have to present a business case to convince the provincial government to invest in basic infrastructure such as electricity, when every other area of the province is afforded this basic right?
“Are we not equal citizens in the Province of Ontario?” she asked.
Campbell’s full statement can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/krrndp
