Mike Schreiner announces Ontario Greens’ Plan for the North

May 10, 2022

TORONTO — Leader Mike Schreiner announced the Ontario Greens' Plan for the North in North Bay this morning alongside local candidates Sean McClocklin (Nipissing) and Kris Rivard (Timiskaming-Cochrane).

“Ontario Greens recognize the unique needs of the North,” Schreiner said when introducing the Northern platform. “And as a party we commit to a vision that recognizes these unique needs, rebalances government funding, and builds a true partnership with First Nations and Métis communities in the North.”

The 7 key priorities of the platform are listed below (including select highlight policies):

1) Create good green jobs in the North

• Increase sustainable, circular and Indigenous-led access to critical minerals and metals while fully adhering to principles of UNDRIP
• Maximize job and economic benefits for Northern communities by removing barriers to mass timber building

2) Expand access to quality healthcare in Northern communities

• Make dedicated investments in Nurse Practitioner-led clinics in the North where improved access to primary care is critical

3) Invest in a mental health and addictions strategy

• Build at least 4,000 supportive homes and 6,000 affordable community rental homes for Northern communities
• Implement the Ontario Greens’ Addiction Strategy to address the drug poisoning crisis that has disproportionately affected Northern communities

4) Improve funding for education and French language access

• Support the University of Sudbury in transforming into a university by and for Francophones

5) Protect Ontario’s natural heritage

• Provide $1B in funding to First Nations communities to support Indigenous-protected and conserved areas and Indigenous-led climate solutions

6) Partner with Indigenous communities

• Invest in the creation of 14,000 Indigenous-led affordable homes in Northern Ontario communities

7) Improve connections to the North

• Immediately restore and improve the Northlander passenger rail service between Toronto and Cochrane with funding for upfront capital costs of $220 million as well as annual operating subsidies of $12 million

Please find the Ontario Greens’ full Platform for the North here: gpo.ca/plan-north

Schreiner will be participating in the FONOM Northern Ontario Leaders Debate at 1pm today.

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