TORONTO, Feb. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - (Queen's Park) Experts agree the Ontario
Liberals are working toward a stronger province that will create good
jobs and build sustainable communities across the province:
KEN CORAN, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS FEDERATION
(OSSTF)
"The new government has shown that the tide has turned and I know the
Premier believes very much in collaboration and in setting forward
discussions that are positive. What I heard from today's speech was a
willingness to collaborate, a willingness to discuss a willingness to
be fair that is what we want to pursue."
SAM HAMMOND, PRESIDENT, ELEMENTARY TEACHERS FEDERATION OF ONTARIO (ETFO)
"It was nice to hear in the throne speech from this government there
will be respect, transparency going forward with collective bargaining.
I was glad to hear continued commitment to full-day kindergarten and
education overall as a priority for this government. I can say that
this government, under the new Premier and the new Minister of
Education, has taken a giant step in the right direction in terms of
respecting the process, respecting us as parties and partners.
MARK WALES, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
"I really look forward to working with Jeff as Minister of Rural Affairs
and Kathleen as Premier and Minister of Agriculture and Food to make
sure that we take what is the number one industry in this province -
agriculture, agri-food and agri-business. So I look forward to the
opportunity to work with this government and making sure that we can
get things done better for everyone."
CAROL WILDING, PRESIDENT AND CEO, TORONTO REGION BOARD OF TRADE
"Toronto Region Board of Trade is encouraged to hear the government is
committed to addressing our region's infrastructure challenges. As the
government said in the Throne Speech, we can no longer be mired in
political rhetoric nor waste our time stuck in traffic. The question
today is not if we need new revenue tools, but which ones. Toronto
Region Board of Trade supports the government's view that cooperation
is needed between all orders of government, and the public, and looks
forward to participating in this discussion which is so vital to
ensuring our economy remains globally competitive."
GEOFF WILKINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ONTARIO ROAD BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION
"The Ontario Road Builders' Association is encouraged by Premier Wynne's
understanding of the need to push forward on building modern
transportation infrastructure as a means for promoting economic
development in the province. We are ready and willing to work with the
government, municipalities, and all other stakeholders, to address the
unique transportation needs of our province and to help realize Premier
Wynne's vision for Ontario."
SID RYAN, PRESIDENT, ONTARIO FEDERATION OF LABOUR
"We'll be strongly urging the NDP not to vote against the Throne Speech.
Let's see what's in the budget…Conservatives are attacking workers in
the government and it's nice to see that we can actually have a
government that respects workers"
SARAH WINTERTON, ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE
"We're encouraged to hear Premier Wynne emphasize the importance of
energy conservation. Ontario should lead the pack in energy
conservation as it has on renewable energy and closing coal-fired power
plants. We urge all parties to work together to find the best ways to
reduce energy consumption to make Ontario a leader in energy
efficiency, and to do this in a way that supports those people most
vulnerable to rising energy costs."
HARVEY COOPER, MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, CO-OPERATIVE HOUSING
FEDERATION OF CANADA, ONTARIO REGION
"We appreciate Premier Kathleen's Wynne's strong commitment in this
afternoon's Throne Speech to working with the opposition parties to
make this Minority Government work. The Premier has been a long-time
supporter of co-operative housing and we look forward to our work with
her and all parliamentarians."
ANGUS TOULOUSE, FORMER REGIONAL CHIEF OF ONTARIO
"I'm an optimistic person, I'm really hopeful that the Premier says she
wants to approach things from a different way - which is more one I'm
hopeful will talk about the historic relationships that we've always
had. Good education, fairness in terms of the equity really is what
First Nations have been talking about. Wanting to see the federal
government match the provincial kind of resources that they spend per
child is essentially what First Nations have been talking about for
many years - hopefully those opportunities we're going to see."
DONNA RUBIN, CEO, ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF NON-PROFIT HOMES AND SERVICES
FOR SENIORS
"We are pleased to see this government working hard to promote
partnerships at all levels and we are starting to see an integrated
health care system emerging in local communities, with the needs of the
individual at the core."
SOURCE: Liberal Caucus Service Bureau
