There is money coming from the Province for Thompson, just not from the Mining Community Reserve Fund.
In a recent report, Thompson MLA Kelly Bindle said that Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton has approved just over $125,000 dollars for four different projects; $9,811 to the City of Thompson for change room upgrades at the Norplex Pool, $15,626 to Thompson Early Learning and Child Care Centre for a new outdoor natural playground, $50,000 to the Legion for washroom upgrades and $50,000 to the humane society for shelter upgrades.
Bindle also mentioned that Cathy Cox, the Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, has approved $122,763 in operation funding for the Thompson Public Library.
The PC MLA then turned to the Mining Community Reserve Fund, saying that the City of Thompson does not qualify for funding, as the Mining Tax Act states that the funds are only available in situations where ore deposits have been depleted.
This differs from what both Blaine Pedersen (Minister, Growth, Enterprise and Trade) and Dave Dyson (Deputy Minister, Growth, Enterprise and Trade) have said, which is that there isn’t enough money in the reserve.
Read: Pedersen Clarifies Mining Community Reserve Fund Decision
Bindle concluded by saying that northern Manitoba has “tremendous untapped potential”, and that the government is committed to breaking down barriers for economic growth and new job creation in the north.
