Northern Ontario growth plan

Mayor Victor Fedeli with Minister Bartolucci at Northern Growth Plan announcement. Photo supplied by Ministry of Northern Mines and Development.

The McGuinty Government announced today that Northern Ontario is designated for growth plan. The plan will help grow the region to ensure continued prosperity.

Full details are contained in the news release below.

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Northern Ontario will have a growth plan under the Places to Grow Act, to ensure greater growth and strong economic development in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.

“Keeping Northern Ontario strong and prosperous today and in the future is important to all of us,” Nipissing MPP Monique Smith said. “This Growth Plan for Northern Ontario will provide clear and co-ordinated direction to address regional priorities such as youth retention and the need for improved infrastructure networks.”

Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal David Caplan, whose ministry is responsible for growth planning, will be working closely with the local MPPs, key Ministers responsible for northern-related portfolios, and local leaders from the Aboriginal community, municipalities, business, industry and environmental groups, to develop a Growth Plan for Northern Ontario that reflects Northern priorities.

The government has a solid foundation to start from thanks to the hard work of many Northern municipalities, Northern Development Councils, Chambers of Commerce and other key groups which have identified challenges and potential solutions.

“A lot of good work has already been done that will provide a solid foundation to build on,” said Caplan. “We look forward to taking that work and turning it into a growth plan with actionable policies that will revitalize communities to be prosperous places to live, work and play.”

Additionally, a Northern Ministers’ table will be established to ensure interministerial co-ordination in the development and implementation of a growth plan.

“The Growth Plan for Northern Ontario will provide the vehicle to foster economic development and align infrastructure planning and investment,” Smith said. “A growth plan will help ensure a better future for Northern families and children, and more opportunities for economic growth.”

The Places to Grow Act enables the province to designate areas for growth plans. Once developed, these plans align provincial and municipal investments in regional growth. It was also under Places to Grow that the province developed the award-winning Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), the Toronto-centred region stretching around Lake Ontario.

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