The Timmins Chamber of Commerce said there some measures in the provincial budget that may benefit local businesses, but the lack of long-term solutions for rising costs in electricity, cap-and-trade and pension reform are problematic.
They’re giving the thumbs-up for increasing the Connecting Links Funding program from $15 million to $30 million by 2018, and boosting the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund to $230 million by 2018.
Timmins Chamber President Kurt Bigeau acknowledges the government’s investments in infrastructure and its efforts to bolster skills training by eliminating post-secondary tuitions for low-income families, but there remain areas of concern.
“The proposed cap and trade system is projected to add to fuel costs at a time where electricity prices are skyrocketing, and lingering questions remain about the impact of pension plan reforms. Although some of the announced investments are a step in the right direction, much more remains to be done to protect and grow our economy,” he said.
Montreal’s Eacom Timber was pleased with government’s commitment of $60 million for public resource access roads for 2016-17.
"Our forest products sector is a world leader in innovation, trade, diversification, and sustainability,” said Eacom president-CEO Kevin Edgson. “The support provided in the 2016 budget will help to strengthen Ontario's industry, and create stability for our people and the communities in which we work."
Eacom operates five sawmills in Ontario and an engineered wood products facility in Sault Ste. Marie.
The Ontario Trucking Association lauded the government’s continued investment in provincial highway infrastructure and wants to work with the province in establishing provincial programs that spur emission-cutting technologies in the trucking industry.
They’re especially pleased with the 10-year plan to upgrade infrastructure in the GTA and pour $550 million into the Northern Highways Program to provide more passing lanes, fix and replace bridges and keep four-laning Highway 69 south of Sudbury and Highway 11-17 east of Thunder Bay.
The creation of a new Ontario student grant, and a $20 million investment over three years for college applied research was welcomed by Cambrian College president Bill Best.
The government said it will support competitiveness and job creation in key industry sectors by partnering with colleges to establish a $20-million fund to be invested over three years.
“This is a tremendous investment into college-based research that promotes innovation and job growth,” he said. “It allows Cambrian, and especially our students, the opportunity to work side-by-side with our industry partners to boost innovation, develop solutions to real-world problems and to help strengthen our regional economy.”
