March 8, 2011

Ontario rolls out 25-year Northern development growth plan

TORONTO

A 25-year Growth Plan for Northern Ontario will help create a stronger, more diverse and sustainable Northern economy, the province says.

“This growth plan will guide our government and future governments’ decision making and investments across Northern Ontario over the next 25 years,” infrastructure minister Bob Chiarelli said in statement.

The plan, developed with regional consultation, will guide decision-making and investment planning in the region. The province says it will immediately:

• Establish a Northern Policy Institute. The institute will play a key role in implementing and monitoring the growth plan.

• Develop a long-term strategy to create a more integrated transportation infrastructure system for air, rail, road and water.

• Bring together northern community and business leaders to support regional economic planning, business innovation and entrepreneurship. This will help retain and attract investment in the North.

“This plan builds upon substantial investments that our government has already made in Northern Ontario which supports a skilled workforce, world-class resources, leading-edge technology and modern infrastructure,” added Chiarelli.

The growth plan is considered an important part of the province’s Open Ontario Plan.

DCN News Services

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