For release: December 05, 2005

ONTARIO INVESTS IN COMMUNITY WEB PORTAL IN GREENSTONE
Technology Will Provide Access To Business, Community
And Tele-health Services

GERALDTON - The McGuinty government is strengthening the community of Geraldton by helping them offer important services online, Michael Gravelle, MPP for Thunder Bay-Superior North announced today.

"I am pleased that residents of Geraldton and neighboring communities will now have access to important services using this technology - and the world will have access to this area's tourism attractions," said Gravelle. "Technologies such as this are extremely important for economic development and competitiveness."

The Ontario government will contribute $747,444 to the project, led by the Municipality of Greenstone and its partners, Geraldton District Hospital and Geraldton Community Forest Inc. A community web portal will be created that will provide online information regarding e-government, telehealth and Internet business services, as well as training opportunities.

"We're thankful for the support of the Ontario government," said Michael Power, Mayor of the Municipality of Greenstone. "Our municipality is looking forward to adopting an e-government system to provide residents with a more efficient means to vital information and services. With this technology, Greenstone will become a more connected community."

Today's investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) program, which invests in projects that support sustainable rural economies and community partnerships, and is a key part of the government's plan for rural Ontario. The rural plan provides a coordinated framework across government to build on rural Ontario's strengths - committed people, diverse economic opportunities, unrivalled resources and a solid sense of community.

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