A group of community leaders met with dignitaries last week to share their thoughts on how to improve the economic outlook in their home communities, and suggest opportunities for youth to continue to live and work in the region.
The Honourable Diane Marleau, MP for Sudbury, and Raymond Bonin, MP for nickel Belt, met with citizens on Oct. 15 in Greater Sudbury. We're concerned by the recent release of census data for our area that shows a steady decline in population," said Marleau, "Tuesday's consultation was a chance for Sudbury and Nickel Belt residents to offer solutions that will work best in our region to attract and provide long-range employment opportunities and initiatives for residents of Greater Sudbury."
"This initiative underlines the Government of Canada's commitment to maintaining a dialogue with the citizens of Northern Ontario," said Bonin.
"There is no one better positioned to develop local solutions than the people who live in this region."
Discussions at the meeting centered around four themes: access to capital; access to a competitive and innovative business environment; access to infrastructure, including telecommunications; and access to a higher quality of life, in health, education, and life-long learning.
The regional consultation was one of several taking place throughout the north this fall, culminating in the Northern Ontario Citizen Engagement Forum, to be held November 14 to 17, 2002, in Sault Ste. Marie. The an-northern Forum will incorporate a youth conference and will be moderated by the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Secretary of State for Rural development and FedNor.
Results from the regional consultations and the pan-Northern Forum will form the basis of a federal action plan - a document that will provide recommendations on how to further develop an environment conducive to health and job creation in Northern Ontario. The final report is expected n early 2003.
