[Kitsune]

The Cons have decided that the proposed Centre for Excellent in Mining Innovation in Sudbury doesnt deserve funding, even though the Province, the City, and the cities two mining companies have all put money into it. There reason? Because ... "would require a significant investment that would not serve to maximize FedNor's principles of promoting growth, economic diversification, job creation and sustainable, self-reliant communities in Northern Ontario.".

The actual reason is likely that city is deeply Liberal/NDP, and has been bashing the conservatives for quite some time. This project is meant to diversify the economy further into mining research - the city is already becoming a world leader in this area, and CEMI was to further along the development of this sector.

btw, how many people read the glowing article in the Star last week about Sudbury? I was quite surprised to see an article of that magnitude in a Toronto paper. Rumour is Lowes is about to extend into the city....

 

[Brandon716]

This shows the arrogance and total contempt the Conservative party has for large swaths of Canada.

Even in Liberal control, and even if many Liberal and NDP beliefs aren't that fond of Alberta, other parties (save for the Bloc of course) have always been accomodating for needs across Canada regardless to individual identity.

The Conservative party is acting like more than ever before a regionalist movement that is so focused on Alberta and its environs that anyone else in Canada isn't welcome, and its going to become the death of its new found energy after the PC-Alliance merger.

Not that I'm complaining, I'd love to see the Conservatives reduce to 3rd status behind the Liberals and NDP.

 

[Hydrogen]

Actually, if you'd remove Alberta's massive oil revenues you'd see that the Conservatives don't really care about it much either. The idea is that the regions should be on their own as much as possible.

 

[ganjavih]

btw, how many people read the glowing article in the Star last week about Sudbury?

I read it, mostly because I grew up in Sudbury. I was just there a few weeks ago after several years of staying away. Lots of development going on, mostly sprawling, and the cost of real estate has gone way up. I wonder how long it will last.

 

[Blovertis]

Who knows? Maybe the Centre for Excellent in Mining Innovation really is a waste of money. I make three observations:

1. Northern Ontario already gets more than its fair share of government grants, subsidies and tax breaks -- take it from someone who grew up in Timmins, home of the Shania Twain Museum.

2. While resources are high now, I doubt this will last forever. Should we be forever publicly subsidizing extraction industries in the boonies at the expense of new economy, which is mostly centred in cities?

3. Something called the Haileybury School of Mines already exists.

 

[ShonTron]

Centres for Excellence are research centres usually affiliated with local universities and spread across the country.

FedNor is set up partially to provide a sort of "equalization" to a have-not region within a "have" province, and is supposed to provide funds for economic development for the region.

I see nothing wrong with a mining centre of excellence in a mining centre with several post-secondary institutions. It plays on one of the region's few economic reasons for being and has relevance not just for Sudbury, but for the province, country and internationally if good research comes out of this.

And yes, the Shania Twain Centre in Timmins is a joke. Though the mine tour next door is excellent and fairly authentic.