Lakeshore Advance, 2012-08-29, Page 5Wednesday, September 21, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 3
"Forward. together." Ontario Liberals launch rural platform
A Plan To Build
A Strong Rural
Ontario
Campaigning in Grand Bend
stat week, Maria Van Rommel
spoke about the Ontario Liberals'
new rural platform and how it
will mean real, treasurable
progress for rural families in
Lampton -Kent -Middlesex.
"What we've achieved together
with rural Ontarians in the past
eight years is nothing short of
amazing," Van Boillmel said.
"'Today, we're supporting rural
Ontario and our fancily farms
through Ontario's first perma-
nent Risk Management Program
— the biggest commitment to our
farmers in over 25 years. We're on
track. But there is more to do."
"I see the progress we're stak-
ing right here in Grand Bend and
Lambton Shores, with the lake-
front and train street develop-
irent, trade possible by provin-
cial funding," said Van
Rommel. "All across the riding,
progress is being mads' to make
our communities even better
places to live"
The Ontario Liberal platform
for rural Ontario, entitled, "For-
ward. Together" is a plan to help
rural families meet the chal-
lenges we face as we emerge
from the global recession.
Some of the key elements of
the plan for rural Ontario
include:
■
■
■
Improving municipal infra-
structure and public services,
especially in areas such as
municipal drainage infrastruc-
ture, continuing to reverse the
reckless PC downloads that
put our rural communities at
risk;
Continuing to bring more
healthy, locally grown food to
families through our commit-
ment to promote local foods
through key initiatives, such as
The Foodland Ontario pro -
grant, The Ontario Farmers'
Markets Strategy, and ongoing
collaboration with Ontario's
retail and food service sectors;
increasing support, through
our Rural Economic Develop-
ment Program, for agri- food
businesses that have created
anti kept more than 15,000
jobs and generated nearly $500
million in economic activity
across the province;
■ Making the Eastern Ontario
Uevelopinent Fund perma-
nent, and creating a new
Southwestern Ontario Eco-
nomic Development Fund to
help communities attract the
jobs of tomorrow;
• Creating a new Specialist high
Skills Major in food processing
in all Ontario schools, helping
build skills in food and
agriculture;
• Supporting supply manage-
ment in international trade
talks and fighting for its place
in th Ca adi farming
community;
■ Keeping our commitment to
clean energy, that's creating
50,000 jobs and has already
provided opportunities for
20,000 fanners who have
applied for MicroFi'T contracts
--- with almost 11,000 already
turning 00 cleaner sources of
power like \wind and solar.
e
is
an
Few attend education debate for candidates
By David Gough
QMI Agency
?tlucation \vies discussed and
debated during a sparsely -
attended Lambton-Kent-rliddle-
sex all -candidates' debate hells in
lVallaceburg on Sept. ti.
Sponsored by the Ontario Sec-
ondary School 'Teachers' Federa-
tion (OSSI'l'), the crowd was made
up of about a dozen people and
they were mostly people who are
aligned with the candidates.
Only three of the five candidates
showed up, with Green Jamie
Muslim*, New Democrat loe 11111
Ind Liberal Maria Van Rommel
,iriscussing a variety of education
—issues.
Progressive Conservative candi-
date Monte McNaughton said
prior to the event that he was not
attending due to an event he was
holding in Grand Bend.
'the Reform candidate was also
a no•sho\w. Brad harness called
the Courier Press earlier that Sault'
day and said would be unavailable
clue to 0 fancily emergency.
Van Rommel Imide note of
McNaughton's absence in her
closing remarks, noting her disap-
pointment that he could not be
there to answer lluestions or
defend the Conservatives' record
on education.
"More importantly, he was not
here to listen to the views or con-
cerns of the people of Lambton-
Kent-Middlesex,' Van Rommel
said.
She notes that McNaughton also
dill not attend an earlier all -candi-
dates' sleeting regarding agricul-
ture held earlier in the week in
Glencoe.
"Both agriculture and education
alt' very important issues"
Jamie Armstrong said that if
there is IOW wott'r turnout, it's likely
0 Tory government will win the
provincial ('lection.
"I know Monte personally. I
know he's a very intelligent per-
son. l can't say anything had about
hint, I've known hini for years but I
really would've liked to seen hint
come out to just tell cls a tew things
about what clic 1ludak govern-
ment is going to offer.," Armstrong
said.
hill dill not mention
lcNaughton's absence.
Van Rommel went after the
N1)P's education record while in
power. !fill countered, saying the
NDP at the time was led by current
federal Liberal leader Bob Rae.
Among the issues that the can-
didates discussed included adult
education, collective bargaining,
post -secondary education, special
needs funding and adult
education.
"'these are uncertain tittles for the glo-
bal economy. These are challenging
tinges for our rural fatuities. This is our
plan to help. 'Phis is our \vay forward,
together," NAME said.
'Ihe 1ludak PCs have a $14 billion hole
in their platform -- that means down-
loads and deep cuts that will put our
economy, education and health care at
risk. The 1 iorwath NDP would introduce
a crushing $9 billion in taxes on our job
creating businesses. The opposition
would create chaos and conflict at a time
when Ontario needs certainty.
The full rural platform is available at
w\vw.theontarioway.ca.
This week only when you spend $1.00 on a delicious chocolate
chunk Smile Cookie, Tim Hortons will donate the entire
proceeds to the Grand Bend Optimist Club.
1 4'
toot 1010
To find out more visit timhortons.com
-fir
I`Nt //ottaani
MIA Pau. rMww O'od rhhp. KIPP•n.
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