Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles is rolling out her northern Ontario platform.
It includes doubling residency positions at NOSM University, widening Highways 11 and 17, and improving remote airports.
Stiles says the platform reflects her commitment to the north.
“Our commitment to the north is more than just words. It is who we are as New Democrats,” says Stiles.
“As Premier, I promise to tackle the cost of living with concrete actions that put real money back in your pocket every month and deliver the health care when and where you need it.”
Another proposal is the creation of a Northern Command Centre as part of its northern Ontario platform.
It would gather data to help address some of the workforce issues impacting the region’s healthcare sector.
Stiles says it could help with the recruitment of doctors and nurses.
“What we really need at this stage is a northern Ontario-specific strategy,” says Stiles.
“That’s why we’re going to set up a northern command center to actually coordinate and address a northern-focused approach to that retention and recruitment strategy. It should not be left up to individual communities to be struggling with that.”
Northern Ontario is one of the NDP’s strongholds, holding all but four seats heading into the election.
Stiles sees the region as being crucial to the party’s success in this election while being critical of how the Ford government has treated the north.
“Doug Ford wants to exploit the north for his own ends, but he isn’t really putting back in the investment that northern communities deserve and need.”
The provincial election takes place on February 27th.
