The town of Huntsville’s economic shortfall to the tune of half a million dollars isn’t the only worrisome news this week.

There is also uncertainty about the much-anticipated and lauded arrival of Aero Defence Products Ltd. to town, which many hoped would fill the void left behind by the closure of Cequent Towing. That closure took away 160 jobs from this community, and as if that wasn’t bad enough, we’ve also learned this week that Lofthouse Brass in Burk’s Falls - another important community employer – is experiencing some turbulence.

We hope FedNor critic and NDP Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie Tony Martin is paying close attention. Martin’s proposed Bill C-451, as it stands, would remove both Muskoka and Parry Sound’s ability to access valuable funding dollars through the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, known as FedNor.

This town has received more than $1 million in FedNor funding for its waterfront development park, the new theatre and its strategic plan.

The agency has helped this region by funding various youth internship programs across Muskoka and sustaining the Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation, aimed at helping and supporting new business initiatives.

FedNor also helped fund Bracebridge’s Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre to the tune of approximately $500,000 and contributed about $2.5 toward the development of the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst.

Removing Muskoka from FedNor would be detrimental to an economy that is already difficult due to its seasonal nature. The median average income of the permanent population still sits lower than many of the cities in what Martin might describe as the “true north,” including his own riding of Sault Ste. Marie.

Muskoka’s water and sewer rates are among the highest in the province and the fact that its urban pockets are spread out geographically makes it that more difficult to keep up with demands on  infrastructure.

The population cohort between 45 and 64 living in Muskoka is higher than the provincial average, because finding meaningful work for young people here is next to impossible.
Muskoka’s official plan supports tourist commercial development, which makes sense for cottage country but the jobs do not pay well and tend to be seasonal in nature. We need more knowledge-based industry and the infrastructure to attract it here.

In essence, Mr. Martin, Muskoka’s permanent population is certainly in need of regional development dollars regardless of where you draw your borders.

As for Martin’s proposal to turn FedNor into a full regional development agency with budgets similar to those given to agencies serving Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Western Canada – nothing could make more sense.

T.d.V