On behalf of the 850 members of the Greater
Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, we take this opportunity to
reiterate our support for, and to encourage the introduction
of, tax incentive zones for Northern Ontario.
Our chamber has been a strong advocate for
tax incentive zones, specifically for Northern Ontario, and has
actively lobbied for their introduction with the former
government, and more recently during pre-budget consultations
with Finance Minister Greg Sorbara and during a private meeting
with MNDM Minister Rick Bartolucci.
Our provincial counterpart, the Ontario
Chamber of Commerce, also approved a policy recommendation on
this matter last year.
We understand the Liberal Government is
committed to helping Northern Ontario seek opportunities for
sustainable economic development, job opportunities and the
means to retain our youth and grow our population. We are not
seeking to do this through "hand-outs," but more appropriately
by "hand-ups."
Providing the opportunity for Northern
Ontario communities to use meaningful, long-term tax incentive
zones as an inducement to attract new investment could go a
long way to enhancing the sustainability of economic
development in the north.
We strongly urge the Ontario government to
look favourably upon the introduction of tax incentive zones
for the north.
Jim Thompson
Chair,
Debbie M. Nicholson
President and CEO