Chamber of Commerce gives Liberal budget a B+

SAULT STE. MARIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MEDIA RELEASE

******************** Government must now stick to plan and timetable, budget gets a grade of B+ - Sault Chamber

Sault Ste. Marie - The government is going to need to maintain its focus on the economy and stick to the strict plan and timetable that it set for itself in yesterday's budget according to Don Mitchell (shown), president of the Sault Ste. Marle Chamber of Commerce.

"The consequences of returning to a series of deficit budgets, higher taxes and irresponsible spending are economic stagnation and decline," says Mitchell.

"We did not expect to see a balanced budget yesterday, however it was our hope, and the hope of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, to see a balanced budget within two years, not four."

Positives seen in the budget by Mitchell and his peers are the government's plans to cut the job-killing capital tax as well as a focussed approach to funding the priorities of Ontahans including healthcare.

Mitchell notes that the budget included some positive initiatives for the North including an increase of investment to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund of $35 million, new investments to expand Highways 69 and 11 and improve roads, and $25 million in one-time stabilization funding for Northern and rural colleges.

Additional initiatives for the North included a Go North Investor program, which includes $10 million to market Northern Ontario's potential internationally to attract new large scale investments in the region and Northern Ontario Grow Bonds, government-backed bonds that will help small and medium-sized businesses develop and expand.

Mitchell notes that he is pleased that there was apparent acknowledgment in the budget of the business opportunities in the North and that the government is ready to assist when it comes to getting new business here.

Overall, Mitchell notes, the budget receives a cautious B+ from the Sault Chamber.

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