The economic state of Ontario is strong.
Those words from MPP Vic Fedeli at his ‘State of Ontario and Here at Home’ address to the North Bay and District Chamber Of Commerce.
“COVID being over, not over. The war in Ukraine. The war in Israel. China and the supply chain disruptions, there’s a lot of really concerned companies around the world,” he says. “They tell me they see a beacon of light. That it’s reliable, it’s dependable, it’s predictable, they get clarity and certainty in Ontario.”
With the latest jobs numbers just coming in from Statistics Canada Friday morning, Fedeli texted then called Premier Doug Ford to relay the 49,500 new jobs created in Ontario last month.
“You have a champion with Vic,” Ford told the business group over speaker phone. “He is my champ. He is Ontario’s champ and he’s doing a great job.”
Fedeli says that relationship with the premier is benefiting North Bay.
“We brought $88 million additional dollars into North Bay [last year],” he says. “I think you can see why. The premier and I have a very strong relationship. It’s all about creating jobs and returning Ontario to solvency.”
During the event, Fedeli touted the billions of added money being spent in several sectors across Ontario that is cutting taxes, building schools, increasing health spending and adding long term care beds.
Ford shuffled his cabinet on Thursday with Fedeli remaining Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
“[Premier Ford] wanted to refresh the economic team and I think the additions are wonderful,” says Fedeli. “We have our own born and bred Mike Harris Jr. who is now going to lead up red tape reduction, a very important ministry that saves businesses more than a billion dollars a year.”
Red tape reduction was one topic covered during the fireside chat portion of the chamber event, along with the substance abuse and addictions crisis, affordable housing, and the ONTC.
Fedeli highlighted the $75 million in funding announced last week involving the return of Northlander passenger rail service.
