Laurie Scott News Column
For Immediate Release - Wednesday, February 20, 2008

ONTARIO’S ECONOMY

Over the last number of months, I have heard from many residents in Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock, who have serious reasons to be concerned about the state of Ontario’s economy and its impact on rural Ontario.  The warning signs have been looming for some time now through lost jobs, decreased investment and out-migration of people to other provinces and states.

Great Lakes RV deserves congratulations for their efforts in re-opening the former Fleetwood plant and providing hundreds of local manufacturing jobs.  That said, we know there are tremendous challenges facing our local manufacturers.  Since 2005, the province has lost over 160,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.  We’ve most-definitely felt many of those losses in our riding, both directly and in-directly. 

While part of Ontario’s economic issues stem from factors such as the rising Canadian dollar and the declining manufacturing sector, it is important to consider what can be done at the provincial level to mitigate some of these external influences.

I have stated before that there are some immediate actions that the Provincial government could do, in order to improve the investment climate in Ontario and help spur economic growth.  These include reducing the tax burdens on businesses and new business investment; fully eliminating Capital Taxes in Ontario; reducing taxes on small and medium size businesses; and building a solid, productive relationship with the federal government on tax reform.

Leaning on government bureaucracy, excessive regulation, high taxes and energy uncertainty is not going to build confidence for those outside of Ontario looking for a place to invest.  As a matter of fact, this has compounded the challenges in rural Ontario.  We see businesses closing doors, struggling farms, quiet downtown shops, job losses, along with health care professionals and skilled young people looking elsewhere to apply their trade.

On February 20th our Member of Parliament, Barry Devolin, indicated that he is committed to working with community partners to support projects which result in an enhanced economic development infrastructure.  Not only is this encouraging news, it’s an example of how we need to take every advantage available to make a positive impact and improve rural Ontario as an attractive place to invest, live and grow.

Rural Ontario and our dedicated, hardworking families need a consistent, reliable economic climate that will encourage people to keep their jobs here, and create new ones for the future. If we’re going to meet the economic challenges facing us we need to place a premium on innovation, embrace new ideas and work together.

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