For immediate release: 5 July 2006

CHOCOLATE FACTORY GOOD FOR BRANTFORD ECONOMY
McGuinty Government Targets Skills Training And Job Creation

BRANTFORD - The McGuinty government is supporting up to 1,200 new jobs and skills training opportunities for the local economy, Dave Levac, MPP for Brant, announced today.

"The McGuinty government is supporting economic development through a recruitment and comprehensive training program for Ferrero Canada Ltd.," said Levac. "We are on the side of families in rural Ontario. This facility will be a major new employer, a major exporter of Ontario-made food products, and will attract supporting industries to the area. This is great news for Brantford, Brant County and for Ontario."

The government will contribute $1,735,687 to help Ferrero Canada Ltd. implement an effective employee recruitment strategy. This facility will employ up to 1,200 skilled workers by 2009.

"We are pleased with the support of the provincial government and our partner, the City of Brantford on this project," said Franco Veglio, Chief Executive Officer for Ferrero Canada Ltd., Industrial Division. "This state-of-the art facility is Ferrero's 16th plant, and when completed, it will be the largest of its kind in North America. Once the plant is at full capacity, it will export approximately $300 million annually in product to the U.S. and Mexico."

Other government initiatives that support a strong, rural economy include:

• A $500-million advanced manufacturing investment strategy that provides loans to help industry stay competitive
• A refundable apprenticeship training tax credit
• Investing over $19 million in rural communities through the Rural Economic Development Program.

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.omafra.gov.on.ca.

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Contacts:
Christopher Flavelle
Minister's Office
416-326-3072

Brian Cardy
Rural Investments Branch
519-826-3787