http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/2016/01/27/regional-chambers-of-commerce-voice-concerns

For recreational fliers renting or owning a small plane, the aviation fuel tax hike means they will have to dig a bit deeper into their pockets when it comes time for take off. (QMI Agency)

Concerns were raised and discussed by the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce during Ontario pre-budget consultations held by the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in Thunder Bay on Jan. 20.

One concern was related to the current energy policy that requires new or expanding mines to pay the full cost of new transmission lines or upgrades to existing lines. The concern is that the policy is a significant detriment to mineral development in remote areas.

NOACC also let it be known that it encourages the province to continue moving forward in the planning and development of the Ring of Fire in order to be ready when global markets rebound.

The Ring of Fire is a mineral-rich region in northern Ontario about 500 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay that has been suffering from a lack of infrastructure. In July, Ontario nominated the region as one of its ‘priority transit projects’ for Build Canada funding.

Negative impacts on the economy caused by highway closures was also brought up during the meeting. The group is calling for a ‘long-term, fully funded plan for highway investment that ensures that alternate routes are available to keep goods and services moving.’

Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, introduced worries surrounding the province’s tax rate on aviation fuel.

The Ontario tax rate started increasing by one cent per litre each year for four years beginning in 2014. The increases will continue through April 2017.

“We are very concerned with the economic and social impacts felt by increases to the aviation fuel tax and are calling on the government to immediately implement an exemption for Northwestern Ontario,” Robinson said in a Jan. 20 press release.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom as NOACC president Nathan Lawrence praised actions taken by the provincial government in 2015.

“We thank the government for changes made over the past year that support regional business and will highlight our concerns about regional development and increasing costs for business,” he said.