For Immediate Release
May 4, 2006

Sterling ’s Bill to help Eastern Ontario passes 2^nd reading

Bill 42 would create an Eastern Ontario Economic Development Fund, similar to Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Queen’s Park, Toronto – The Ontario Legislature today unanimously supported Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling’s Bill 42, designed to help Eastern Ontario compete by creating an Eastern Ontario Economic Development Fund. 

“I am pleased that my Bill received the support of the Legislature,” said Mr. Sterling.  “However, I want to caution Eastern Ontarians against getting their hopes up because the Legislature supported this same Bill last year but the McGuinty government failed to call it for third reading, allowing it to die on the order paper.”

Bill 42 would set up a corporation which would have the power to grant or loan funds for projects that will attract development to communities in Eastern Ontario, with the exception of Ottawa .  Companies would be able to apply for assistance in opening or expanding operations in the region, business groups could apply for funds to help attract business and municipalities could apply for funding for infrastructure projects that will make the area more attractive to businesses or tourists.  The Corporation would consider such factors as average annual income, municipal tax base and population growth in determining where to invest. 

“Similar to Northern Ontario, communities in Eastern Ontario are facing low growth rates, and in some cases losing population, because the median incomes in these areas are lower than in most other regions of the province,” explained Mr. Sterling.  “These problems are compounded by recent plant closures and job losses across the region as well as a decline in agriculture.”

“Many of the communities in my riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke have expressed support for this idea and I know they would benefit from a fund dedicated to Eastern Ontario ,” said John Yakabuski, MPP.  “I support this Bill on behalf of my constituents.”

Mr. Sterling’s Bill comes one week after the Legislature gave unanimous support to a resolution introduced by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman, calling on the government to establish an Eastern Ontario Secretariat within the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.  Mr. Runciman, in speaking in support of Bill 42, said, “The member for Lanark-Carleton understands the needs of Eastern Ontario and I know this initiative would help all communities in the region.”

Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Victoria-Brock, spoke in support of the Bill saying, “This legislation would provide the much needed support to help communities increase their tax base, increase their revenue and most importantly improve their quality of life.”

Mr. Sterling referred the Bill to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs for public hearings.  “I hope that once the McGuinty government hears of the tremendous public support for my Bill, they will not be able to continue to ignore this initiative,” said Mr. Sterling.

For the purposes of this legislation, Eastern Ontario will include the cities of Kawartha Lakes and Prince Edward County , the counties of Peterborough , Haliburton, Northumberland, Hastings , Renfrew, Lennox and Addington, Frontenac, Leeds & Grenville, Lanark, Prescott & Russell and Stormont Dundas and Glengarry including all cities within that area, save the city of Ottawa .  According to the 2001 census, the median incomes in these areas are on average almost 15% lower than the median income in Ontario .     

In order for the Bill to become law, it must be called by the Finance Committee and passed by the committee and then called for Third reading by the Ontario Legislature and passed again.  Anyone interested in commenting on this Bill can write to the clerk of the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Douglas Arnott at Room 1405, Whitney Block, Queen's Park

Toronto , Ontario , M7A 1A2 .

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For more information, please call Lanark-Carleton MPP Norm Sterling at: (416) 314-7900