FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2004

MCGUINTY LIBERALS IGNORE PUBLIC OUTCRY AND CLOSE FROST CENTRE

The closure of the Frost Centre today shows that the current government does not care about the views of the countless Ontarians who over the past week have demonstrated their opposition to the closure through letters, petitions and demonstrations. The closure will have a significant economic impact in the Haliburton and Muskoka areas, and 5,OOO school children from across the province will not be able to learn first hand about the importance of conservation and sustainable development.

Bowing to public pressure, and after a call from Laurie Scott to the Premier’s office, Minister Ramsay hastily arranged a meeting with local officials and MPPs. “The meeting was nothing more than a Public Relations exercise,” said Laurie Scott. “It was obvious that the Minister wasn’t meeting with the objective of trying to work out a compromise. Surely they could have found a few extra operational dollars even if it came from another Ministry such as education in order to keep the centre open while a solution was reached."

The Minster was unwilling to listen to the local municipality’s arguments to save the Frost Centre and its important programs. They did not listen to the voices of the local community, or those people who have rallied to the defence of the Frost Centre. Thousands of people have signed petitions, written letters and called the government to protest the closure. Miller and Scott hoped that Minister Ramsey would understand the educational importance of the centre, however as of today, the outdoor education and stewardship programs will disappear.

“I had hoped that Premier McGuinty would have intervened to protect the centre and the valuable programs offered there,” said Norm Miller. “This is yet another example of how this government is harming communities in Parry Sound - Muskoka and Haliburton. The government should have given the communities a chance to keep the Frost centre open by increasing revenues, cutting costs and looking for new funding partners.”

The closure will have a tremendous impact on the local tourism industry and local business operators. The Haliburton area has one of the lowest average household incomes in the province. Taking away one of the region’s premier tourist destinations will mean that people will have to make due with less. All of this is happening at a time when the government has increased taxes and fees through their health tax, increases in hydro rates, delisting of health services and their lack of action to reduce insurance fees.

“If the government believes that they have put this issue behind them today, they are mistaken,” said Laurie Scott.

Norm Miller added, “The government tried to rush this through and to catch Ontarians unaware by making decisions behind closed doors with no consultation or notice to the community. I don't think people will continue to stand for this and I expect that the pressure will continue to build.” Miller said the Frost Closure reminded him of the process used by the government to take Muskoka out of the North.

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