Liberal election news release: NDP's platform would harm North's economy, Liberals say

This news release was issued May 19, 2018, by the Ontario Liberals on behalf of Sudbury candidate Glenn Thibeault and Nickel Belt candidate Tay Butt
 
THUNDER BAY – The NDP are proving once again that they are no friend of Ontario businesses. They’ve promised to cut millions in funding for the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. 
 
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) has helped thousands of projects take root and grow in the North, helping small businesses create jobs and grow the Northern economy. 
As announced in Budget 2018, Ontario Liberals are increasing NOHFC support to $150 million annually by 2020-21. 
 
The NDP decision to yank this funding boost to the NOHFC would effectively pull the rug out from under small businesses in northern Ontario that rely on this funding to help them expand and create more jobs.  
 
By choosing not to include this funding in their platform, the NDP are pulling back $85 million over the next three years that would go to partnering with businesses in northern Ontario to help them grow and create more jobs. 
 
Since January 2013, the NOHFC has supported 3,800 projects, creating and retaining over 15,300 jobs and leveraging more than $2.2 billion in investment.
 
By not matching our increased investment in the NOHFC, the NDP are putting the future growth of northern Ontario at risk. 
 
Together with their hidden property tax that will cost businesses $1 billion a year, it’s clear the NDP can’t be trusted to help grow our economy.