For release: December 02, 2005

Ontario government invests in skills development in
Northern and eastern ontario

Partnership With Local Manufacturers To Support Economic Growth,
Global Competitiveness

SAULT STE. MARIE - The Ontario government is supporting economic growth and global competitiveness in northern and eastern Ontario by investing in new opportunities for skills development and industry alliance building, David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie, announced today.

"Our government understands that by partnering with manufacturers in northern Ontario we are creating greater skills development and ultimately employment opportunities where there is a significant need," said Orazietti. "We are working hard to stimulate growth and create more prosperity in the north. Programs such as this are helping contribute to achieving these goals."

The government will contribute more than $1.4 million to the development and execution of the project, which will be led by Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC). EMC, with its members and partners, will invest the remainder of the $3.17 million project cost. Through the project, EMC will help participating municipalities and organizations work together to enable resource sharing, skills training, mentoring, knowledge transfer and networking.

Project partners include the County of Lennox and Addington, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Community Futures Development Corporation, Communities Quality Initiative, Kingston Economic Development Corporation and Renfrew Industrial Commission. Initial clusters will be created in Sault Ste. Marie, Lennox and Addington, Kingston, Cornwall, Renfrew, Pembroke, Arnprior, Hawkesbury and Sudbury.

"Nobody knows the challenges to success that Ontario industry faces on a daily basis better than the manufacturers themselves," said Al Diggins, EMC president and general manager. "EMC brings together manufacturers in a way that harnesses the collective strength and experience that exists within the community to provide a knowledge network infrastructure through which manufacturers can prosper."

"Communities Quality Initiative, through the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation, wishes to extend our appreciation to the Ontario government for their support towards the launch of the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium," said Bruce Strapp, CEO for the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation. "This invaluable provincial support will strengthen Ontario's industrial sector."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships - a key part of the government's plan for rural Ontario. Through the RED program, the Ontario government and its rural partners are building stronger communities that work better for the people who live in them. For more information about RED or Ontario's rural plan, visit www.mah.gov.on.ca.

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Contact:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
(416) 326-3072