The Minister of Finance, sometime this spring, will present his 2007-08 Provincial Budget to the citizens of Ontario.

Leading up to the budget presentation, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will tour the province, seeking input from citizens and organizations.

Normally, the Committee only travels to large urban municipalities where a large percentage of the population lives. Other citizens are expected to travel to those destinations which would include Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener, and Windsor. Very seldom does a community the size of Orillia or Midland get an opportunity to host a Standing Committee hearing.

For that reason, for the fourth year in a row I have personally hosted pre-budget consultations in Midland and Orillia.

The Orillia meeting was held February 6 at the Highwayman Inn in Orillia. There were twenty deputations presented. The Midland meeting was held February 7 at the Brooklea Golf and Country Club in Midland. Fourteen deputations were made. What is most interesting about pre-budget consultations is the diversity among the organizations that made presentations. For example, Georgian College and the Simcoe County District School Board made presentations in Orillia whereas the Midland Area Reading Council presented in Midland regarding education.

Bob Bowles, an active environmentalist spoke in Orillia and in Midland, Laurie Schutt spoke on behalf of funding for Wye Marsh. Organizations representing small business and in particular tourism spoke at both meetings. We had representatives from Seniors organizations, ratepayer groups, and real estate associations.

In healthcare we had representation from the Huronia District Hospital, Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Cancer Society and the Simcoe County Brain Injury Association. It was interesting to see provincial organizations such as the O.S.P.C.A. and the Ontario School Bus Operators Association present as well.

A number of municipal politicians made presentations, including Mayor Anita Dubeau and Mayor Jim Downer.

With the proposed closing of the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia it was very interesting to see the similarities in the presentations made between Simcoe Community Services and the Huronia Helpers family group. Although these organizations have opposing views on the closure, they both noted the need for substantial investment in the program that allows the transition.

In closing, I would like to thank all those who took the time to attend the consultations. I will forward all of the information to the Minister of Finance so that the views of the residents of Simcoe North can be put on record.