MLA Amanda Lathlin addressed the Manitoba legislature last week about the economy of northern Manitoba and the community development fund.  She said over 1350 people have a job in northern Manitoba thanks in part to the fund.  She explained the fund helps people at risk when traditional lenders aren’t willing or able to provide financing.  She called it a success story increasing access to capital for tourism, forestry, construction and fishing yet the Pallister government cut its contribution to the fund by over 30 percent and the fund is now providing 2.6 million dollars less loans than it did just two years ago.  She asked why is this Minister doing such damage to our economy?

Minister of Growth Enterprise and Trade Blaine Pederson responded to these questions by saying Speaking of Damage, that would be the previous government’s economic development plan and we’ll have a much better plan coming forward.  He added that they will continue to work with the north as well as all of Manitoba.