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The MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North is expressing her concerns with the provincial budget.
Lise Vaugeois doesn’t believe the funding to tackle homelessness and affordable housing goes far enough.
She notes projects are on hold because of a lack of funding.
“There are two housing projects that I’ve been pushing to get funding for, both in Thunder Bay, both not for profit. They would alleviate pressure here within the city itself, but there’s no funding to support them,” says Vaugeois.
The NDP member is also worried about camps being set up around new mines if housing is not available in nearby communities to live and settle down.
“If we don’t have housing in communities, then we have mining camps. And we know that mining camps are not particularly vibrant places for people to live. It’s short term.”
Vaugeois does find some good news in the provincial budget.
She supports the Learn and Stay program that encourages students in health care to work in the region they went to school, but wages need to improve if they are going to truly stay.
“If at the end of the day you’re not paid well and getting benefits, you’re not going to stay.”
Vaugeois also welcomes news of funding for a new veterinarian program involving Lakehead University to address the shortage of veterinarians in the north.