Ontario Members of Parliament, Business Leaders and Experts Discuss How to Help Communities in South-Western Ontario

Kitchener-Conestoga - Local Members of Provincial Parliament, business leaders and experts participated in a series of meetings that stretched across South-Western Ontario. Sessions were held simultaneously via video-conference on Friday, June 12th in Kitchener, Guelph, London, Windsor, Stratford, Chatham, and Sarnia.

Discussions focused on how to enhance business productivity and promote job retention as a united economic region against the backdrop of the global economic crisis and offshore competition. They also examined strategies to help local businesses and communities take advantage of existing training opportunities.

A report distributed to media indicated speakers Jim Balsillie of Research in Motion; Carol Stephenson, Dean of Ivey School of Business; David Shaw of Taurus Manufacturing in London; and Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman & CSO of Open Text Inc and Duncan Hawthorne, CEO of Bruce Power, were amoungst speakers representing their interest. Todd Letts, the Past President of the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, who recently left Esolutions of Waterloo was also present.

MPP's hosted regional town halls following the presentations that focused on the themes outlined above including how the corporate tax cuts and the harmonized sales tax outlined in Ontario’s recent budget can help local businesses.

“A movement is underway in South-West Ontario to unite business and community leaders in an effort to promote economic growth and prosperity in the region,” said His Worship Dan Mathieson, Mayor of Stratford and Chair of the South-West Economic Alliance.

“We are working together to serve the people of South-Western Ontario and I would like to congratulate the MPP’s who hosted this initiative.” "Business and government in South-Western Ontario need to work collaboratively to ensure that our region comes out of this downturn ready to take on the best in the world", said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP for Kitchener-Conestoga.

"This initiative is a good first step that has stakeholders across our region coming together to share best practices and find common approaches to tackling our common problems."