Responsible Resource Development Will Create Jobs and Growth for Southern Ontario

CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 19, 2012) - Today, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, highlighted the regional economic importance of the Harper Government's plan for Responsible Resource Development, which will streamline the review process for major economic projects in southern Ontario.

"Our Government's plan for Responsible Resource Development will create good, skilled, well-paying jobs in cities and communities across southern Ontario, while maintaining the highest possible standards for protecting the environment," said Minister of State Goodyear. "It will help prevent the long delays in reviewing major economic projects that kill potential jobs and stall economic growth by putting valuable investment at risk."

The proposed changes for Responsible Resource Development will streamline Canada's review system while ensuring the environment is protected by:

• Making reviews for major projects more predictable and timely;
  
  
• Reducing duplication and regulatory burden;
  
  
• Strengthening environmental protection; and,
  
  
• Enhancing consultations with Aboriginal peoples.
  
  

The current review system is maze of rules and reviews that have been introduced piecemeal throughout the years. The result has been delays and the review of thousands of minor projects that have little to no environmental effect, such as building a shelter under which blueberries can be washed. These reviews all take resources to usher them through the regulatory system

"We are focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Minister of State Goodyear. "The emerging economies in Asia and around the world provide the potential to create even more jobs and growth, now and for the next generation."

There is currently over $500 billion in potential investment in Canada's energy and mining sectors over the next 10 years. This is the equivalent of a company the size of Apple moving to Canada every two years. In Ontario, companies are looking at investing $108 billion over the next ten years. However, this investment is not guaranteed. Companies are able to invest in countries around the world, and Canada must compete for this investment.

"In order to grow Canada and Ontario's economy, we need to attract investment in our resource sector. By putting in the right conditions, we will create hundreds of thousands of jobs while ensuring the environment remains protected," Minister of State Goodyear concluded.