Conservatives keep millions in their coffers instead of investing in Northern Canada

With the recent wave of job losses in Northern Canada and the country’s uncertain economic outlook, the NDP is troubled to learn that the Conservative government decided to leave millions of dollars intended for job creation in government coffers, rather than invest the money.

From 2010 to 2014, the Minister for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Leona Aglukkaq, left a total of $14 million in available funds untouched.

“The Development Agency’s purpose is to promote job creation but in 2013-2014, $3.5 million from their budget went unused,” said Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency critic Dennis Bevington (Northwest Territories). “I’m asking the minister to invest the funds that Parliament allocated for Northern Canada in the current fiscal year immediately—not use the money to embellish their fiscal outlook for April. Our regional economies need it.”

Local organizations rely on these funds to help boost economic development and improve the standard of living in Northern Canada.

“We know that each year, the Conservatives have been leaving funds that Parliament voted on, just sitting in the bank. This sneaky austerity is hurting young entrepreneurs and stalling job creation in Canada,” added Bevington.