MP Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke), the Official Opposition Critic for Northern Ontario Economic Development, is off-base when it comes to questioning how FedNor funding ended up going to a company based in Mississauga, says Nipissing-Temiskaming MP Anthony Rota.
On Nov. 11, Gallant criticized a FedNor providing $150,600 through the Northern Ontario Development Program to Ontario Natural Food Co-operative, which is based in Mississauga.
“Did Mississauga move?” asked Cheryl Gallant in a release. “Either they moved the city or FedNor funds are being re-directed to the Greater Toronto Area.”
Gallant was jumping on the criticize FedNor bandwagon, perhaps inspired by MP Charlie Angus who complained last month that the budget stands at a low of $31 million from the high of $76 million a decade ago, and that 75 percent of all of FedNor’s budget is already assigned before the year begins severely limiting their ability to fund new initiatives.
See: FedNor funding down 75 percent, says NDP
“I was concerned when the Liberals announced a Minister from Toronto would be responsible for FedNor,” said Gallant. “My concern was Northern Ontario would be neglected or forgotten, but to see FedNor funds abused in this way is almost unimaginable.”
Gallant was way off-base with her criticism though, says Rota.
“What Ms. Gallant fails to mention is that Ontario Natural Food Co-op will use this FedNor funding to help emerging and developing farm and food co-operatives right here in Northern Ontario," he said.
“The $150,600 will be spent to deliver customized training for such things as marketing, merchandising and distribution, and offer other supports to more than 30 farm and food co-operatives across the North. Growing their skills will help them expand trade and grow their markets.
“Another $152,600 that is being provided through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation will also stay in Northern Ontario.”
The details from FedNor of the Ontario Natural Foods Co-operative initiative are as follows:
- FedNor funding of $150,600 is being used by the Ontario Natural Food Co-operative to assist emerging and developing co-operatives across Northern Ontario.
- The project is being funded in partnership with other organizations, including the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation.
- Ontario Natural Food Co-operative is a provincial organization. The project funded through FedNor will only support activities delivered in Northern Ontario.
- The funding will enable the organization to provide business skills training, such as marketing, merchandising and distribution models, and to facilitate the expansion of the over 30 co-ops located in Northern Ontario.
