The Western Economic Diversification Strategy issued by the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, recognizes the incredible role that southern Ontario plays in our country’s economic prosperity. Despite Ontario’s pivotal role in Canada’s economy, more Canadians now work in Alberta and British Columbia than in Ontario.
Canada’s economies are closely intertwined, and this is evident in regions across the country. Successful business in one town will feed into success in another. In a world where prosperity is linked, this comes down to better supporting and partnering in the regional economy.
That is why, following the announcement of the Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change last year, we have put great emphasis on enhancing regional and business partnerships.
This is why, following the announcement of the Framework for Clean Growth and Climate Change last year, we have put great emphasis on enhancing regional and business partnerships.
In December, during the Metis Economic Summit in Vancouver, Ontario became the first jurisdiction in Canada to invest to support Metis groups as they implement resource and business policy changes and promote economic development.
Thanks to the Minister of Metis and Inuit Affairs, Louis Dion, and the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Communities, Environment and Northern Development, we now have a successful co-operative program in place.
In fact, the Ontario capital city has become a hub for natural resources, services and technology that goes beyond the borders of its original territory.
The City of Ottawa and the Queen’s Park ministries are now working to foster economic, community and social development.
Under this new program, we are putting more resources into the maintenance of infrastructure, commercialization of startups and attraction of industry and commercialization of high-tech goods and services that are clean and green. The use of efficient technologies helps reduce business costs, help climate change and improve the quality of life for all Canadians.
We support the government’s initiative to encourage and enable all sectors, including clean, green and responsible energy innovation. — gens du Saskatchewan
Now, this new collaboration is being fully embraced in Ottawa.
In many cases, we all share the same interests. All of us must work together to create jobs and support entrepreneurship.
The Office of Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development is growing, especially in relation to new start-ups. We will continue to strengthen this relationship and support our adopted metropolitan region.
Under the new Partnership and Reuse Policy, Toronto’s 41 public and community spaces in the city will now be made part of Greater Toronto Partnership’s infrastructure portfolio and be ensured that new construction and repair meets the priority standards of Ontario’s environment quality standards.
We support the government’s initiative to encourage and enable all sectors, including clean, green and responsible energy innovation.
Traditionally, the federal government has used policies such as grants and loans to attract capital to partner projects in the clean tech sector.
Now, the federal government is partnering with provinces and stakeholders to help create new opportunities for businesses and economic growth. This has long been the goal of the clean tech sector.
Saskatchewan is currently creating new markets and opportunities for businesses and communities through the Saskatchewan Innovation Fund that, for example, supports the development of renewable energy such as wind power.
Furthermore, we have announced a consortium of public, private and non-profit partners, including leading technology companies like Intel Canada and Mississauga-based CSL, to develop a proposal that could take Saskatchewan clean tech solutions to much of the U.S.
The “How the West Can Lead” theme is representative of the new in-kind support that we are offering to Ontario businesses, generating important partnerships between economic rivals.
There is a lot of work to be done and Ontario is a special place that has set us in good stead for meeting our challenges.
The new provincial government, led by Premier Doug Ford, has an ambitious and exciting agenda.
We look forward to working with them to achieve our goals of better living for the entire country.
Gene Zwozdesky is the Minister of Economic Development and Growth for Saskatchewan.