‘Critical time’ for new northern Ont. ministers – CBC News Thunder Bay (February 12, 2013)

http://www.cbc.ca/thunderbay/

Northern leaders ready themselves to work with Ontario’s newly appointed resource ministers

When it comes to northern Ontario representation, Premier Kathleen Wynne’s new cabinet features both a long-time minister and a first-time minister.

Thunder Bay MPP Michael Gravelle is now Minister of Northern Development and Mines — a cabinet post he once held for four years. Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci announced his retirement from that post last week.

Wynne assigned Gravelle’s old role as the Minister of Natural Resources to rookie cabinet minister Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti. The mayor of Kapuskasing and head of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Al Spacek, said both those appointments are good news for the north.

“I’m thrilled that Minister Gravelle has been moved in MNDM,” Spacek said. “David Orazietti … is a northerner [and] very familiar with the challenges that are in the forestry sector.” Thunder Bay’s mayor, Keith Hobbs, said making Gravelle the new Minister of Northern Development and Mines is the right move, as mining will play a huge role in the city’s future.

Hobbs noted the MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North has the depth of experience that’s needed.

“He’s held that portfolio before,” he said. “He’s been in Natural Resources now, and back to MNDM … you can’t get better than that.”

Orazietti ‘going to have to reach out’
Sarah Campbell, MPP for Kenora Rainy River, said she’s sorry to see Gravelle leave Natural Resources, but believes he will do a good job with the mining portfolio.

However, Campbell said she has concerns about the incoming Natural Resources Minister Orazietti, as she feels he is among the most partisan Liberal MPPs.

For his part, the NDP MPP for Timmins-James Bay also said he’s not sure of how Orazietti will adapt to his new role.

“Mr. Orazietti is an individual who has been around for a while but doesn’t have much of a relationship with members of the opposition,” Gilles Bisson said. “[Now that] he’s a minister, he’s going to have to reach out.”

Bisson said Orazietti’s biggest challenge will be dealing with the Endangered Species Act, as well as the forestry industry.

The president of the Ontario Forest Industries Association said she’s looking forward to working with Orazietti, however.

Jamie Lim said Orazietti understands resource issues and “has a significant forest sector operating in and around [his riding]. We look forward to meeting with him ASAP, because he is walking in at a very critical time.”

Lim said the association will miss Gravelle in the role of Natural Resources minister, but is pleased he remains in cabinet as what she calls “a champion for the forest industry.”

Bisson added that he is glad to see both resource posts staying in the north.

“We’ve seen in the past where we’ve had people from southern Ontario run those ministries,” Bisson said.

“It’s not always been the best for us because sometimes it’s an uphill battle to understand where the communities are and what the issues are.”

For the rest of this article and a radio interview, please go to the CBC News Thunder Bay website: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/story/2013/02/12/sby-sudbury-thunderbay-northern-resources-ministers-reaction.html