For immediate release: 02 August 2006

PROSPERITY PLAN STRENGTHENS VOICE OF EASTERN ONTARIO
McGuinty Government Invests To Build Dialogue, Promote Prosperity

NAPANEE - The McGuinty government is strengthening the voice of Eastern Ontario by investing in a prosperity plan, which will help the Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus build a stronger relationship with the provincial government, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs and MPP for Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington, announced today.

"This program will build a stronger relationship between the Eastern Wardens and the provincial government," said Dombrowsky. "By bringing these two levels of government closer, the McGuinty government will help rural communities in Eastern Ontario prosper."

The government will contribute $60,000 to help the Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus develop a Prosperity Plan which will serve as an ongoing platform for constructive dialogue among all three levels of government and other stakeholders to further economic and community development across Eastern Ontario.

"We are pleased with the support of the provincial government on this project," said Bob Sweet, chair of the Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus. "This Prosperity Plan will benefit not only Eastern Ontario, but will be widely shared across rural Ontario."

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

• Investing $520 million in the Ontario Ethanol Growth Fund to expand ethanol production in Ontario
  
• Reducing the pressure on property taxes by picking up more of the tab for land ambulance and public health
  
• Investing over $22 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.

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

Brian Cardy
Rural Investments Branch
519-826-3787