North Simcoe NEWS - September 2008

Queen’s Park Report 

The provincial legislature will resume sitting on Monday September 22. Without question the provincial economy will be the focus of Question Period and debates.

High fuel costs, a high Canadian dollar, foreign incentive programs and unstable world stock markets are all contributing to the loss of key manufacturing jobs here in Ontario.

Just recently, John Deere in Welland announced they would be closing the doors and shutting down operations by the end of 2009, putting 700 people out of work. Those jobs are being shifted to new plants in South American countries and southern US states.

The Official Opposition will be holding an Economic Summit at Queen’s Park on September 18 and have invited various stakeholder groups to make presentations on how to strengthen the Ontario economy and how to stop the exodus of manufacturing jobs from Ontario. I want to remind you that since the beginning of 2005, the Ontario economy has lost an average of 150 manufacturing jobs per day. We simply cannot continue this path.

The Ontario economy is now dead last in terms of growth amongst other Canadian provinces and it is imperative that solutions be found immediately if we intend to continue to finance our key priorities such as health care and education.

As the house resumes sitting, there are a couple of bills that I want to comment on.

Bill 50, OSPCA Amendment Act will be going to third reading debate fairly soon after we resume sitting. During the Standing Committee on Justice Policy we heard from many organizations over a five day period who all contributed in a very positive manner to the hearings.

There were many amendments made to the legislation and although I believe the bill is still flawed in many ways, I expect it will pass into law.

The second bill that I am extremely interested in is the Lake Simcoe Protection Act that to date has only received First Reading. You may recall that I began the provincial interest in Lake Simcoe when the legislature unanimously supported my Lake Simcoe Protection Resolution on Nov 23, 2006. Following that, both the Progressive Conservatives and Liberals campaigned on the protection of Lake Simcoe in the 2007 provincial election. I am proud that we will see the protection of Lake Simcoe debated in the legislature and hope that the end result is well-balanced legislation that will protect beautiful Lake Simcoe for generations to come.

I look forward to the fall session of the Ontario Legislature that will produce positive steps to strengthen our province.
    
I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you to my Annual Day for Seniors. The Midland Senior’s Day takes place October 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Highland Inn. The Orillia event will take place Friday October 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at O.D.A.S. Park. Both days feature informative exhibits, guest speakers, complimentary lunch and refreshments.

I will also be hosting a Meet and Greet at the Hawkestone Community Hall on November 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Complimentary lunch and refreshments. I hope to see you at one or all of the events.