Local New Democrat Carol Hughes is skeptical about the federal Liberal government's recent Speech From the Throne.
The Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP says the speech seemed to have good things in terms of what was promised, but she's waiting for details, particularly on issues like the environment.
Hughes says she's also "happy to hear" mention of pharmacare - but she wants it to be a universal, comprehensive, single-payer program - and also highlights needs to address housing, and - while she acknowledges the speech talked about reconciliation - Hughes says "a lot of infrastructure changes" are needed to help First Nation communities.
The local MP had also been in the running to be the new Speaker, but lost to a fellow Northern Ontario MP, Liberal Anthony Rota - she does mention a good working relationship with Rota, as they were both assistant deputy speakers in the last Parliament, and she does hope to continue in that role, if possible.
Meanwhile, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Conservative Cheryl Gallant's accusing the Liberals of "completely abandon[ing]" Northern Ontario in the speech, without "a single mention of helping those who work in the forestry or mining industries, nor a focus on rural economic development", while Kenora MP Eric Melillo says plans to "preserve Canada's natural legacy" by protecting a quarter of Canada's land a quarter of Canada's oceans will actually make it more difficult for Northern loggers to access land to harvest - and he calls for support for developing the Ring of Fire mineral deposit in Northwestern Ontario.