Harold Wilson, as the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce president and the Chief Operating Officer of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC), will be at Queen’s Park in Toronto on Sept. 22 where the provincial government is expected to approve third reading of The Far North Act, which will effectively pass the legislation.
Stated Wilson, “Following my participation last week, it became clear that the misinformation about what the Far North Act means was gaining momentum. We were asked why we were against land use planning. Effective land use planning can continue without the Far North Act. This is about withdrawing 50 per cent of the Far North (21 per cent of all of Ontario) from possible development, and holding the rest of the area subject to an Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)-led quagmire. I am working until the last minute to identify how this incredibly significant, harmful legislation will negatively impact our Northern economy and our business community. We need the government to be aware of how business investment will be hindered and opportunities shelved.”
At the Queen’s Park rally on Sept. 15, organized by the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) against Bill 191, Wilson had been invited to participate. Representing both the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and NOACC, he outlined to those assembled in front of the legislature why the business community in Northwestern Ontario was joining NAN in its efforts to have the Far North Act withdrawn. He also attended the government committee hearing where it was decided to proceed directly to third reading, and was also present in the legislature on Sept. 16 during Question Period where the NAN leadership walked out in protest.
The Thunder Bay Chamber represents over 1,100 businesses in Thunder Bay. NOACC represents 2,300 businesses throughout the region.
[Source: Press Release]
