Shuffling the cabinet deck.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: THUNDER BAY - Ministry of Northern Development and Mines - Interview

The balance of political power in the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) shifted from east to west with October's government cabinet shuffle and the appointment of Thunder Bay-Superior MPP Michael Gravelle to the minister's post.

He replaces Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci who moves to Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti becomes Gravelle's parliamentary assistant.

How are you going to put your personal stamp on MNDM's policies and programs?

"There are a couple of programs, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation is a $60 million program that's going to be expanded to $100 million. It is has been a real success in the North and I'm excited to be minister at a time when there's going to be more dollars available for economic development initiatives across the North.

"The other area I'm looking forward to moving on is the growth plan (Places to Grow Act) first done in the Golden Horseshoe Area. We lobbied hard to have a growth plan in place for the North.

Is resource revenue sharing the way to go to help municipalities move ahead?

"That's been an issue pursued by Mayor (John) Rodriguez in Sudbury and the fact is we believe that agencies such as the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and other agencies geared toward assistance for the North provide a significantly high level of special assistance for the North. Fact is, we did make a commitment on that particular form of resource revenue sharing and frankly that decision is done. We're not moving in that direction."

What can be done for the thousands of unemployed forestry workers to help their transition into new jobs and stop them from leaving the North?

"I'm very encouraged by (Minister of Natural Resource) Donna Cansfield approach right off the start. She's been travelling the North meeting with all kinds of forestry products companies. She's taking this on and make it clear she wants to help. She talked with the Buchanan Group about their sawmills shutting down temporarily, and is trying to find them alternative markets. She's inviting them to the table and as Minister of Natural Resources (she) also has programs in place (Forest Sector Prosperity Plan) to provide help on the uploading of costs of forestry access roads."

What needs to be done on the consultation side to ensure there's fewer conflict between Native communities and mineral exploration firms?

"The consultation process with the First Nations communities in...