Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant claims FedNor funding found its way to Mississauga this week.

Gallant charges that Navdeep Bains, the minister responsible for FedNor and the member of Parliament for Mississauga-Malton, announced Wednesday $150,600 from the Northern Ontario Development Program would be going to the Ontario Natural Food Co-operative located in his riding.

"I was concerned when the Liberals announced a minister from the Toronto area would be responsible for FedNor," said Gallant. "My concern was Northern Ontario would be neglected or forgotten, but to see FedNor funds abused in this way is almost unimaginable.

"Using FedNor funds for political patronage in Toronto is just the latest example of how the Liberals abuse taxpayers’ dollars while undermining Northern Ontario’s economy."

The funding, however, is intended to assist emerging and developing co-operatives all across Northern Ontario, it was announced Wednesday in Sudbury.

"Our project has two components to it," explained Peggy Baillie, the co-op’s executive director. "We’re going to be delivering what is called co-op field schools, where we’ll be delivering curriculum training and on-the-ground support to emerging and developing co-operatives all across Northern Ontario.

"The second piece is looking at an assessment on how we can build co-operative distribution systems to improve access to different regions of Northern Ontario that are otherwise having difficulty accessing products."

Natural food co-ops are "one of the fastest-growing sectors when it comes to access to local food," Sudbury MP Paul Lefebvre said. "The more people who have access to local food and can support local growers — that’s key. Basically, it’s smart not only for jobs, but for the local economy and for the environment. It’s a win-win-win on so many levels."

With files from Mary Katherine Keown/The Sudbury Star

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