Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
For Mayor Rodriguez, the importance of the provincial budget tabled Thursday can be reduced to one word-infrastructure.
"This budget means only one thing to me-infrastructure, infrastructure and infrastructure," he exclaimed after Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci gave details of the Liberal budget at a Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Radisson Hotel Friday morning.
"We have a 10 year deficit in our municipal
infrastructure-roads, water systems, bridges and arenas. This
amounts to nearly half a billion dollars. We cannot catch up
alone. We need the assistance of other levels of government.
That is why I am pleased the province is stepping up to the
table in this budget," said Rodriguez.
According to Bartolucci, the province will spend $32.5 billion in infrastructure spending over the next two years. For Rodriguez, that means the province is prepared to match what the city has put up-$30 million.
In turn, that will help access the new federal infrastructure money to be announced shortly, as early as the first week of April, he noted.
Bartolucci was asked if the province will be the route for federal infrastructure funding. Since he is a provincial cabinet minister, he was asked if that meant Greater Sudbury will get its fair share of infrastructure dollars.
He was cagey in his comments. He said that steering an abnormal amount of money into his riding would be considered patronage.
"I will say, as always, though, I am a passionate advocate for Greater Sudbury."
Furthermore, in his speech before to the audience he did say, "I sit across from the premier in our cabinet meetings. That is the perfect place where I want the premier to be," he chuckled.
Though Bartolucci said more details of provincial funding announcements will be forthcoming, whether for infrastructure or for other projects, as the weeks go by.
But he did announce a $16.8 million contract being awarded by the provincial government to Pioneer Construction for paving 11 kilometres of four-lane highway from Trout Lake Road near Estaire to Highway 537. This means drivers can enjoy a total of 20 kilometres or entirely new road between Sudbury and Estaire this fall.
"We are passionately committed to this project prior to forming the government in 2003 and today our government remains as dedicated as ever."
The work will commence in April. In the past four years more than $1.3 billion has been invested through the Northern Highways Program in repair, expansion and safety improvement projects.
Brian Gatien, chair of the Chamber of Commerce, was also pleased with the budget since it implemented some of the ideas his members had come up with and supported.
"The chamber had been advocating for the sales tax harmonization."
Bartolucci said that Ontario business stands to save $500 million because of the reduction in paperwork the harmonization will entail.
"That is good it is in the budget," said Gatien.
There were other items in the budget for business.
"Certainly when there are tax reductions, such as in corporate tax, small business tax and individual tax, that is good too. There is an investment in apprenticeship tax credits. That is great for investment in the future and for the development of skilled trades," said Gatien.
He was also pleased that there was a $2 million announcement in the budget for helping those companies in the supply and services sector in mining and forestry to expand their export capacity.
"This is something our business community would welcome."
One note of concern was raised by Dr. Koka, a noted local psychiatrist. He was worried that support for mental health services would be at the bottom of the province's heap of priorities.
Bartolucci said that would not be the case. He did admit that there was more to do in this area.
He did outline provincial help for those on social assistance and that the local Chamber of Commerce did support the Social Planning Council's advocacy for poverty reduction strategies.
Social assistance rates will be raised two per cent by the fall of 2009 for the basic needs allowance and for shelter. There would also be an investment of $700 million for social housing rehabilitation and energy retrofitting of 50,000 units.
More than 4,500 new affordable housing for low-income seniors and people with disabilities was also funded. The minimum wage will also rise to $10.25 by 2010.
Bartolucci also said there would be provincial interest in a community adjustment committee designed to help recently laid off workers.
Guy Labine, chair of the Regional Development Corporation, said a formal announcement of the group is forthcoming.
"It is an opportunity for the community to come together and look at initiatives that can mitigate the potential negative impacts from the downturn of the economy. There are some strategic things that can be done to make the community better when we come out of this downturn."
Labine did say there was a strategic planning exercise recently.
"Three weeks ago about 100 people came together talk about the strategic plan for the city. Some ideas from there are being developed and will be released."
He said there needs to be a chair found to head the community adjustment committee.
"Once we have that person we will be making an announcement," said Labine.
