Progressive Conservative Finance Critic Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing (left) and Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson during a roundtable discussion with small business owners at the Plex November 28.

Hub Staff

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson says rising hydro costs is top concern for business owners following two round table discussions November 28 in Clinton and the Plex in Port Elgin.

Thompson was joined by Progressive Conservative Finance Critic Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing as well as local business owners; who were asked to shed some light on what is working, and what’s not, in Thompson's riding.

“We need to make sure that affordability of energy is available to all,” said Thompson following the second of two round table discussions, November 28. She went on to say that there were common themes in Huron and Bruce that were brought to her attention, besides the hot hydro topic. People in attendance brought forward that growing economic development opportunities is a must, and that many rural economic opportunities are hindered by broadband issues and the high cost of gas; that the education offering for trades needs to be localized, current and provided in an easy format.

Thompson described the round table attendees as “eclectic”, and was provided with new information about regulations chocking-off entrepreneurial spirit around training; and that data collection regarding regional tourism follows a standard that does not speak to the nature of Bruce County.

“It all comes down to pride, people wanting to work at home, and we need the proper support. And that is affordable energy, that is proper education to match the job opportunities with our education locally, and supporting local, buy local,” said Thompson.

Thompson is aware of the “disconnect” in the Ontario government regarding rural areas, and stated that “we need to be working across the aisle very diligently”. She said she will do this by writing letters, and synthesizing everything she had learned during the roundtable discussions and sharing it with the appropriate ministers. “We need to move now, we can’t wait for change to happen, we've got to make it happen.”

Vic Fedeli said that he learned from the diverse round table turnout out that there are challenges to locating your business in Ontario. He said a solution would be “cutting the red tape in Ontario and addressing the skyrocketing hydro rates, not just with a bandaid solution, but really fixing the hydro solutions in Ontario.”

At the table in Port Elgin were representatives from Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, which represents thousands of farming families as well as members of Miller Insurance, Hoof’n It, Hoity Toity Cellars, OPG, Community Care Solutions. Also present were representatives from the County of Bruce, Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Saugeen Shores.

Small business owners as well as representatives from the County of Bruce, the Town of Saugeen Shores and Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce attended a roundtable discussion with Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson and guest Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli November 28 at the Plex.