More “clarity” needed on McGuinty Growth Plan, says Timmins chamber

The president of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce said the McGuinty government's Growth Plan for Northern Ontario is big on promise, but short on details.

Gary Marriott finds there are many good things in the plan, especially singling out Timmins as a “strategic core area.” It means the province will require the involvement of many companies in the community.

“However, given the importance of this 25-year strategic document, we would have further appreciated more clarity on the finer points of how, when, and with what money, it will be rolled out.”

Marriott says it is “gratifying” to see many local companies were considered in the formulation of the plan, especially the minerals and supply sector, value-added forestry, renewable energy, transportation and tourism.

He likes the plan's intention to foster the development of a knowledgeable workforce and the stated importance of education as a key to ensure that regional businesses have access to skilled people and in providing opportunities to Aboriginal communities.

But the chamber says while the Growth Plan commits to addressing issues of high energy costs, “there yet remains no commitment to ensuring that energy generated in the North can be used to reduce regional rates, nor is there any mention of long-term, preferred rates for heavy industry in the North.”