While some voices of dissent emerged from northwestern Ontario following the recent release of Dr. Robert Rosehart’s economic solutions report, the general consensus was one of support.
“Overall, we’re really pleased with the report, as it deals with a great number of issues we’re working on or advocating,” Mary Long-Irwin, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, says.
“Could I pick out one or two that are my favorites? Probably not, given (there) are so many (points) we have been lobbying for.”
Many of the report’s 47 recommendations spoke directly to the region’s needs, she says, such as the concept of eliminating the age barrier on the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund’s Young Entrepreneur fund. While this provincial fund is accessible to those 18 to 29, Long-Irwin says the report is correct to suggest that there are many in the region above the age cut-off who could benefit.
She also credits the report with contributing to the critical mass of attention towards the plight of northwestern Ontario, especially given its support of the Common Voice Initiative. It was led by the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association representing the region to senior levels of government.
Similarly, Long-Irwin also strongly supports the report’s recommendation of a Northern Ontario Regional Commissioner, which would advocate specifically for the area’s needs. While she recognizes that this parallels the description of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) and hails the work of current MNDM head Michael Gravelle, she suggests that a new role with a specific focus on job creation and economic development would be beneficial.
Also in support of the document is the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). As one of the parties consulted by Rosehart as part of the development of the document, the CFIB found some of their suggestions included not only in the report, but also in the recently released provincial budget.
The item in question is the province’s decision to accelerate the new cap on business education property taxes promised in last year’s budget. Instead of taking place over seven years, Northern Ontario businesses have been singled out in the budget as beneficiaries of a new timetable which will find rates capped at 1.6 per cent by 2010. This translates to savings of $70 million over three years.
As a key example of another strong focus, Andrews also highlights the report’s recommendation to create a pilot project, which would provide tax-based incentives for investments in the northwest.
“This was needed to give business people a fighting chance to succeed,” Judith Andrews, vice-president, Ontario for CFIB, says.
“We definitely think the Rosehart report is heading in the right direction, and we’re delighted to see that it’s making suggestions in areas where it’s badly needed.”
Although also quite supportive of many of the ideas put forth in the report, Kenora mayor Len Compton sees some room for improvement.
While appreciative of its recommendation, Compton takes issue with the report’s suggestion that the four-laning of the Trans-Canada Highway between areas such as Kenora and Manitoba would need to take place over 15 years.
Given the immediate economic needs of the region, he says, the work should instead be done “as soon as possible.”
While he agrees with Long-Irwin that the northwest requires a regional office for the provincial ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, he also argues that the report’s recommendation to focus this office in Sioux Lookout or Thunder Bay is misplaced.
There are 10 First Nations reserves within a 10-mile radius of Kenora, making the city an ideal location for this new office, Compton says.
Despite his criticisms, however, Compton says he’s nevertheless is pleased with the report’s outcome. In fact, Compton says the report’s focus on forestry, particularly with regards to an industry secretariat and a reform of the land tenure system, are a step in the right direction.
