Clement hands out $6.75 million for Sudbury

Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement was in Sudbury on Monday, and according to Mayor John Rodriguez, he brought the sun, along with an announcement for $31.4 million of funding for Northern Ontario over the next two years.

Clement said $6.75 million of the funds from the national Community Adjustment Fund Initiatives, one of several initiatives introduced as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, will be spent on three projects in Sudbury.

“The basis of the CAF is to provide support for our communities where they need some help,” Clement said. “Maybe the ill winds of this world economic recession have hit some communities harder than we would like, obviously. And Sudbury is no stranger to that... (It is there to help communities) get back on track with new prospects, new jobs, new opportunities, new economic growth and new prosperity. So that is partially why I am here today.”

The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation will receive $4,250,600 to install, test and measure the effectiveness of novel ventilation on demand to decrease mining costs and increase productivity.

St.Joseph's Health Centre will receive $1.9 million to assist in efforts to build a new 90,000 sq. ft., 128-bed, bilingual long-term care facility in Chelmsford.

“Of course, as former federal and provincial minister of health, I'm well aware of the need for long-term care in our country and obviously very proud to see support for this very important community project,” Clement said.

The mayor said the long-term care facility is the most important project that will receive funding.

“It is very key to alleviate the ailing problem that we have in our community,” Rodriguez said. “This must go forward, and with this funding from the minister, it will go forward.”

The final project in the initiative, the Sudbury Airport Community Development Corporation, will receive $600,000 towards expanding infrastructure within its general aviation area by building a state-of-the-art hangar facility.

The minister also announced funding from FedNor, through the Northern Ontario Development Program.

Nickel Basin and Music and Film in Motion will receive $500,000 to assist in the creation of film and television productions in Northern Ontario.

Northern Ontario Agri-Food Education and Marketing will receive $130,659, Cambrian College will receive $36,500, NORCAT will receive $13,500 and Symbotic Ware Inc. will receive $114,320.

Also, FedNor's Youth Internship Program will be giving out $137,500 to five local organizations.

Despite recent controversy over comments Clement made, referring to the potential Sudbury had of becoming a “Valley of Death” if Vale had not bought Inco, the minister said he was not hesitant about visiting.

“I was really looking forward to this,” Clement said. “I felt that it's important the federal government continue to be engaged in the issues facing Sudbury. That Sudburians know we are engaged in those issues, that we care about these issues and that we want to be helpful to Sudbury and helpful not only to the present economy but the future economy. And I believe these announcements reflect that.”

Clement said Mayor Rodriguez is an “important sounding board” and “someone I rely on to get a sense of the local picture.”

“Although he is not responsible for any of the things I said that are controversial,” the minister joked.

Clement said part of the reason for his trip is to see federal dollars being put to use.

“I like to see the results of investments, we, the federal government, have made into important community projects,” he said.

“I'm looking forward to our continued working collaboration together, John and I. And that's what it's all about. It's about individuals at different levels of government working together.”

Clement said he was involved in helping the Huron Central Railway line between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie stay open, and that it is a prime example of teamwork.
“Again, (Huron Central Railway staying open is) another great example of what can be achieved when communities, business, governments are all working together.”

Canada's Economic Action plan was announced on Jan. 27 in the 2009 budget.

“It is a fiscal and economic blueprint,” Clement said. “It is about short-term stimulus for our economy, but at the same time it should, when working properly, promote long-term economic growth.”

Mayor Rodriguez said the government's funding announcements will provide opportunities for the community to grow.

He also said Canadians expect all levels of their government to work together.
“The one thing that Canadians expect, what they want, (is) all levels of government to work together for what's best for the community... That's how it's supposed to work, that's what our democracy is all about.”