THUNDER BAY – Updated – On January 19, 2010 at the Slovak Legion in Thunder Bay, the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Northwestern Ontario Economic Development Planning hosted a meeting on Regional Economic Development Development; the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) along with the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the City of Thunder Bay participated as well.
Four officials from NATIONAL Public Relations were on hand to share information about Plan Nord. NetNewsledger.com along with the cooperation of the JTF videotaped the entire meeting on Plan Nord. It is shared here with the public as a means of continuing the discussion and engagement.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest states, “The 21st century is still young but it has already transported us to a different world. The advances made by the emerging countries are shifting major economic corridors. The emergence of environmental awareness and the fight against global warming are altering our perception of economic development. The Plan Nord has been elaborated to take a stance in this new world, further broaden Québec’s approach centred on openness to the world and strategic alliances, and develop our economic potential through a sustainable development partnership that respects the First Nations, the Inuit and local communities.
“Northern Québec is fascinating because of its immense territory and the scale of its potential. Today, the context lends itself to its rediscovery. The North’s mining potential affords us an opportunity to capitalize on the development of the emerging countries by ensuring the responsible development of the territory’s resources,” adds Charest.
The JTF’s mandate is to play a lead role in developing a proposed model and implementation plan for regional economic planning in Northwestern Ontario. The JTF’s priorities are:
- Local decision making;
- Collaborative governance;
- Participation by all leader groups in the region including Aboriginal organizations;
- Authority to give to decision makers the tools to implement and influence decisions regarding economic policy and strategy.
For more information, please visit www.nwoeconomiczone.ca
Here is the final draft report of the JTF: