AUDIO: Labrador's MP visits Fort McMurray to learn about northern living

Labrador’s MP Yvonne Jones is in Fort McMurray to find out a bit more about our boomtown.

“I’m hoping that we can learn from some of your experiences, and either do things better or at least do it the same,” she adds, “and that’s the purpose on trying to gather information, to make decisions and push for resolve and solutions that will impact all northern regions in the country.”

She’s also the Liberal Northern and Economic Development Critic and is here to learn about northern regions going through transition.

“So whether that is in forms of economic growth or economic weaknesses, we want to look at how we can help, how we play a role as the Liberal Party of Canada to enhance the lifestyle of people who live in northern regions.”

According to her, Labrador faces similar challenges with development, such as aboriginal, environmental, and transient work force issues.

She says her party supports oil sands development but things like aboriginal, environmental, and citizen needs have to be met at the same time.

Jones says people here are ready for change.

“They’re making more money than they made 10 years ago, but they probably have more financial debt,” she continues, “it’s still costing them more to live, the community itself is unable to provide for the infrastructure that’s needed for a town that’s growing at the pace that this is. And, what has the Conservative government done? Absolutely, nothing.))

She says the fact people here are coming forward to run for her party in the upcoming by-election shows people are tired with the Conservatives.

Hear Ferne Wynnyk’s interview with Yvonne Jones.