Smith spoke about how the government is working to reduce red tape. He cited Fiat-Chrysler in Detroit which saw an investment of over $4.5 billion because they were able to get permits in 60 days whereas in Ontario those permits would take three years.
MPP Todd Smith and MPP Peter Bethlenfalvy at the State of the Province Address at the Trent Port Marina. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Bethlenfalvy told those in attendance the province has worked hard to create a fiscal environment where businesses can thrive.
He said for the first time in a decade, Ontario’s credit rating has gone up and they’ve created over 200,000 new jobs since they were elected.
He said by getting their fiscal house in order, it is truly showing that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs.
The positivity that played out inside the Trent Port Marina wasn’t dampened by the crowd of over 50 education staff, students and their supporters who greeted Smith and Bethlenfalvy.
A protest was staged at the Trent Port Marina to voice objections to cuts made to education prior to MPP Todd Smith’s arrival at the Chamber of Commerce State of the Province address. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Angel Sperry with the Ontario School Board Council of Unions, a campaign personnel for Areas 4 and 5, says there was a specific message they wanted to get across.
She said these cuts hurt all of our future leaders and future workers.
Sperry told the media the Ford government was voted in to make changes, but not to make these kinds of sweeping cuts. She said they are the lowest paid education workers, making on average $38,000 a year, and cutting them won’t fix the deficit.
Smith did take a few minutes to speak to media regarding the protest.
A protest was staged at the Trent Port Marina to voice objections to cuts made to education prior to MPP Todd Smith’s arrival at the Chamber of Commerce State of the Province address. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
