2024 is now in its infancy, but plans are in place and execution underway, for projects and priorities in Northumberland-Peterborough South.
Quinte News spoke with MPP David Piccini, to discuss what will be front and centre over the next 12 months.
He says under his role as Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, filling jobs continues to be on the docket.
“The problem is jobs without people, people without jobs. To my job, I mean I can’t control the broader immigration pieces, those numbers are determined federally. When folks are in Ontario we’ve increased the number we can pull from through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and with the Skills Development Fund.”
Housing is incredibly important noted Piccini.
“At least 1.5 million homes we need to build and also attracting good jobs in communities like ours. So we’ve been working with lower tiers to target industrial, commercial lands that we can look at bringing online.”
Piccini says the balancing act is increasing the number of immigrants to Ontario to help fill job vacancies, while understanding it will create more competition for the housing market.
He says there is also a need for more processing capability when it comes to the agriculture sector and rural areas can be the regions that benefit.
On the local infrastructure there is discussion about watermain work for Campbellford, a massive wastewater project for Brighton, along with working with municipalities in the riding through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.
