The key to success in Northwestern Ontario, according to Indian Affairs and Northern Development minister Robert Nault, is a stronger partnership between First Nations and municipal councils.
“It doesn’t take a lot to see where the numbers are in this riding, it’s with the First Nations,” Nault, the local MP for Kenora-Rainy River, said in an interview with the Times here Tuesday.
“I think we need to link our economy with First Nations.”
Nault was in town to attend the Fort Frances Chief’s Breakfast. He also held a constituency clinic at the Red Dog Inn later Tuesday afternoon.
Calling economic development a priority for all communities across Northwestern Ontario, Nault stressed the importance of First Nation success stories in order for development to work well here.
“I think First Nations in Fort Frances and across the Rainy River District are, by far, some of the most progressive in the country with business partnerships coming to fruition,” he said.
“They’re starting to include themselves in the social fabric of the whole community,” he added.
Nault also noted that the private sector in Fort Frances must step up to bat for economic development here.
“It’s important to focus not so much on where we were as much as on where we intend to go,” he argued. “What you’re doing, and I hope you’re not, is you’re giving that job to the town council.
“You have to see that happen within the business community itself,” he stressed.
Nault put Fort Frances in the middle of the pack in terms of successful economic development but explained the location of the town opens up a number of opportunities.
“I would say the town would be average but there is tremendous potential,” Nault said. “It sits right in the middle of North America with great opportunity to diversify in the private sector.”
“We need to see the vision of the business community.”
As he begins his fourth term in Ottawa as MP for Kenora-Rainy River, Nault plans to meet with most of the riding’s municipal councils to gauge their mandates and status.
“I’m not the only one to get a new mandate. It would make a lot of sense to meet them and discuss their priorities,” he said. “It’s like a puzzle–every piece fits together.”
Nault again stressed his support for the new Canada Customs and Immigration facility, which is to be built here this year, as another improvement for area commerce and future development.
“It’s my belief we can now convince more people to stay and spend more money. The customs facility will ensure guests, when they arrive there, don’t have to hang around for six hours.
“They’re not going to stop there when they have to wait for six hours and they’re on a one-week holiday,” he reasoned.
Nault also explained that although he doesn’t believe the latest toll increase for visitors will deter them, he still is pushing the federal Ministry of Transportation to address the right of the bridge authorities to unilaterally increase the fees and, following that, look into the fairness of current rates.
“My personal opinion is that if I’m going on a holiday and spending $2,000, I’m not going to worry about a $9 toll fee,” he said. “But it’s my view that these tolls cannot be set without the approval of the Government of Canada.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
