News Release

New Councils To Give The North A Stronger Voice

June 10, 2004

Councils will help set northern agenda and priorities

THUNDER BAY – The Ontario government is fulfilling its commitment to engage northerners in decisions by announcing the creation of Northern Development Councils.

"NDCs will play a vital role in our government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for delivering real, positive change throughout the North," said Minister of Northern Development and Mines Rick Bartolucci. "They will be a direct link from northern communities to me and contribute directly to stronger democracy."

Bartolucci today announced a four-council model representing the major urban centres, the Northwest, the Northeast and the Far North. The four councils will pursue solutions that are tailored to address the specific needs of the different northern regions and the cities.

"By establishing a Far North NDC, the government is also taking an important step toward building a new, cooperative partnership with Northern Ontario’s remote First Nation communities," said Bartolucci.

Individuals appointed to the councils will represent a broad cross-section of people in the North. Each council will consist of a chairperson and approximately 10 members. The chairs will report regularly to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, providing input on priorities such as youth out-migration, Aboriginal partnerships, building an innovative northern economy and northern highway strategies.

"Your councils will bring a northern perspective to provincial policies and initiatives, ensuring that solutions to problems will be made for northerners by northerners," said Bartolucci. "Northern Ontario is more than 800,000 people strong. By working together we can bring prosperity to this region and a quality of life that is second to none."

-30-

Contacts:

063,