The leader of the Manitoba NDP says that they are going to continue pressing the Province when it comes to Thompson getting money from the Mining Community Reserve Fund. 

 

Wab Kinew recently spoke to Arctic Radio News, and said that few communities have paid more into the MCRF than Thompson, and now that the city is facing tough times it ought to be able to access the funds. 

 

Kinew, who represents the Winnipeg riding of Fort Rouge, said that his party has been very clear about their interpretation of the Mining Tax Act, which governs the fund. He added that after speaking to City officials, he understands that Thompson now has some backing to their claim that the City does in fact qualify for money from the fund. 

 

The governing Progressive Conservative government has maintained that that Thompson does not qualify. They have given multiple answers, including that the money isn’t accessible if the fund is under $10M, and that the fund is only for communities affected by ore depletion.  

 

Kinew said that his party is going to continue focus on this issue, and will be asking the finance minister to help the City of Thompson out.  

 

He added that there is a real job loss that is being felt here, and that the money is there to help mining communities during periods of job loss.  

 

The broadcaster-turned-politician said that there is no more deserving community that fits the description of what this fund is supposed to do than Thompson.