Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty
Strong, experienced leadership was a theme as Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty addressed Oakville’s community leaders at a sold-out luncheon hosted by the Oakville Chamber of Commerce on February 6th, 2012. According to the Premier “We are Ontario, the greatest province in the best country in the world.”
Introduced by Dianne Craig, president and CEO of Ford Canada, Premier Dalton McGuinty was thanked for being a champion for the manufacturing sector in Ontario. McGuinty responded by thanking Ford Canada and by pointing out that, “In Ontario, we are proud that for eight years running we have been the number one producer of cars in North America, building two million cars a year and are very grateful for Ford’s commitment to Oakville and Ontario.”
The Premier commented on Siemens Canada making the decision to move their head office to Oakville, bringing 800 good jobs to the Oakville community; a loud and clear endorsement of Oakville as a place to live, work and raise a family. The Oakville Chamber of Commerce, MPP Kevin Flynn and the many distinguished guests were also thanked for the work they do, the risks taken and the jobs created to help businesses, and families, in Oakville succeed and grow.
Related: Click here to view more photos of this event.
Dianne Craig, President & CEO Ford Canada & Oakville Chamber of Commerce Chair Wendy Rinella
Ontario’s fundamental strengths were recognized as the foundation for continuing growth and prosperity. Premier McGuinty talked about Ontario’s tax and regulatory environment, Ontario’s power grid; a reliable supply of electricity, its infrastructure and its strong workforce. McGuinty feels that, “there is still more to do” but is happy that, in Oakville, investments have been made in our new Oakville community hospital, HOV lanes on the QEW, a water treatment facility and a new high school; a good beginning.
The Premier stressed that Ontario cannot compete in the race to the top without a highly skilled and educated workforce and so the government has made dramatic, new investments in the education and skills of Ontarians. Full day kindergarten and more grad school spaces were cited as examples. Ontario’s “schools are now recognized as the best in the English speaking world …. and Ontario’s workforce is now better educated than any of the OECD countries,” stated the Premier. “I’m standing before you today as Premier of the greatest province in the best country in the world because of education…. the dream that I want all our children from all our homes to be able to realize.”
The Oakville Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the Oakville business community. They provide member benefits including: advocacy, corporate benefits, networking opportunities, business development and educational forums. Their mission is to foster a healthy, engaged and sustainable business environment and economy in Oakville. For more information visit www.oakvillechamber.com.
Tags: Dalton McGuinty, Oakville Chamber of Commerce
About the author: Janet Bedford
A Real Estate Broker with Royal LePage Real Estate Services on Lakeshore Road in Oakville, I have 25 years of helping clients realize their dreams, specializing in helping my clients buy and sell homes in the Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Ancaster, Dundas and the Grimsby areas. I love Oakville, its people and the exciting events I cover! My hobby, a passion, is taking pictures, writing articles and telling the world about the people, the businesses, the events, the places to visit and about this amazing Town - Oakville!
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Janet:
With all due respect, your column sounds like you are vying for the position of press secretary for Dalton.
I thought the chamber was non-partisan.