Premier Wynne and Eight Ministers Meet Northern Ontario Leaders in Timmins, Ontario

Premier Kathleen Wynne and eight most important Cabinet Minister on Northern Ontario issues held what they billed as a Northern Leadership Forum in Timmins today to consult with the Northern Mayors, First Nations Chiefs, and Industry leaders on the Liberal government’s Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.

In hosting the series on discussions with Northern leaders, Premier Wynne was living up to the promise she made as a Liberal leadership candidate to be more inclusive of the north as compared to her predecessor.

Premier Wynne said she is the Premier of all Ontario and every region has a part to play in Ontario’s economic future. “We are governing one Ontario”, the Premier said.

“We can’t treat regions in isolation,” Premier Wynne added.

 “I believe all regions in Ontario should work together and regions should not be pitted against each other - if Ontario is to succeed all parts of Ontario must succeed,” Premier Wynne declared.

The Premier said governments work best when all levels work together. Working together is what drives prosperity in the North. She said she will continue to work with and meet with municipal leaders and aboriginal leaders to determine priorities for the North and that those priorities be made known to the Federal Government.

Premier Wynne said there are three pillars that drive growth and prosperity in Northern Ontario: Investment in people through education and training; Investment in Infrastructure such as roads and electricity; and creating a dynamic business environment.

“We need to play to our strengths and harness the dynamic skills of the people and resources of Northern Ontario,” she said.

The Liberal government's Northern Growth Plan contains the road map for future growth, but equally important is more frequent and regularly scheduled communications between the Ontario cabinet and Northern leaders.

Premier Wynne announced plans to hold quarterly meetings to focus on programs and evaluate their progress, determine where roadblocks are occuring and take steps to move forward.

“Ontario has bright future and north will share in that future,” the Premier said.

Part of Ontario's future prosperity Wynne said rests with the development of the Ring of Fire a vast area of mineral potential in Northwestern Ontario.  The successful development of the Ring of Fire Wynne said depends of the building of transportation and other infrastructure. 

Up till now individual companies have attempted to build road links on their own, but the failure of Cliff Resources to obtain approval for a right of way to construct a road shows there exists a need for all parties to the Ring of Fire development to work together.

Earlier in the week Michael Gravelle, the Minister of Northern Development and Mines announced that the government was creating a "Development Corporation" to bring all parties to the table to develop transportation routes and other infrastructure for the Ring of Fire.

"It is important that The Ring of Fire is developed the right way," Premier Wynne said, "and in the best interest of the aboriginal peoples who live in the area, northern municipalities, the province and Canada." 

Wynne met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday in Ottawa. She said the first issue discussed was the importance of the Ring of Fire. Wynne characterized the discussions with Prime Minister Harper as "productive". She said the Prime Minister agreed to actively consider participating as a partner in the "Development Corporation".

“I suggested to Prime Minister Harper yesterday that development of the Ring of Fire is in the national interest,” Wynne said, “and the federal government needs to be a partner to ensure we receive the maximum benefits.”

 The Prime Minister, Wynne said, agreed, but he still views the Ring of Fire as a primarily provincial venture.

Referring to Cliffs Natural Resources suspending further work in the Ring of Fire until the province builds a permanent road, Premier Wynne indicated the project is greater that just one company. She pointed out that there are 27 companies with claims in the area.

"The construction of infrastructure to serve the Ring of Fire will in itself be as much of a benefit to the nearby communities as the mineral wealth itself," Premier Wynne said.