News

NDP, LIBERALS FAIL TO STAND UP FOR NORTHERN ONTARIO

QUEEN’S PARK – Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli expressed disappointment today after NDP
and Liberal members of the Ontario Legislature voted in favour of legislation that allows
Northern industries like the forestry sector to be unfairly targeted with frivolous legal
action.

Bill 52, also known as anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation)
legislation, passed Second Reading today with support of the entire NDP and Liberal
caucuses.

“While we and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) support the
intent of the bill, FONOM is asking for two amendments to this bill to protect the Northern
forestry sector, for example, from unfair and untrue attacks, namely from special
interests, that cause economic harm,” said Fedeli.

“Once again, the Liberals and NDP say one thing in Northern Ontario, then do another
when their MPPs get down here to Queen’s Park,” Fedeli said.

By contrast, Fedeli, Ontario PC Leader Patrick Brown and six other PC MPPs voted
against the bill and supported Northern Ontario. Brown has repeatedly shown his
support the North, having made 14 visits to the region in the last year.

FONOM is asking that the legislation be amended to allow any legal action resulting
from public participation to be reviewed by a judicial officer or other provincially
appointed expert, prior to being filed, and targeting the bill specifically to apply to
volunteers and small community organizations with annual budgets of less than
$100,000.

Fedeli plans to introduce the FONOM amendments to the bill when it is heard at
Committee over the next couple of weeks.

For more information, or to arrange an interview, contact:
Clint Thomas
Executive Assistant
(416) 325-3434 or (416) 710-1752