Northern Growth Plan Released

The Ontario Government has unveiled a 25-year plan to stimulate the Northern economy a day after posting a record deficit of 24.7-billion dollars.
The proposed Northern Ontario Growth Plan aims to prepare the local economy for changes ahead by strengthening the mining industry and creating regional economic zones.
It also calls for partnerships among various colleges, universities and businesses to support research and train northerners for careers in growing fields.
The long-awaited strategy will also work to improve health-care for aboriginal communities, promote green technologies and create an
inter-regional transportation network.
Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the initiative will rely on the resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit of northerners to create a plan that fits their needs.
The next step is consultations, with the final plan expected at a later date.