Warden's State of the County Address - March 4, 2016

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i As evidence of the County's strong partnership with the Chamber, I would like to highlight a few of the key initiatives we have been working on together: The Chamber has been actively supporting the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus in their SWIFT project, aimed at bringing ultra-high speed broadband access to rural areas across southwestern Ontario and we appreciate their continued support. 1. Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act or PACA - the Chamber has been working with our agriculture sector to ensure PACA style legislation is adopted in Canada to ensure our small agriculture businesses can get paid in the event their U.S. customers go bankrupt. Their advocacy efforts were successful in having PACA included in the federal Liberal campaign platform; now the government needs to act. 2. The Chamber will be shortly be bringing resolutions forward to the Ontario government on the impact on "cap and trade" on our agriculture -sector - stay tuned for that. It's a big issue with a lot of support across the Ontario Chamber network and we appreciate the Chamber's leadership and ongoing focus on the agriculture sector. In addition, I had the opportunity to raise the issue of "cap and trade" effects on small business during the Ministers' Bear Pit session at the recent Good Roads Conference. 3. Trans Pacific Partnership - we appreciate the Chamber's continued leadership on TPP Brenda and I went over to a Red Wings / Maple Leafs game a while ago and, as a surprise, I took her to an upscale restaurant. You know I don't drink, but Brenda ordered a nice glass of wine, which led her to ask what do a fine wine and the Toronto Maple Leafs have in common. Simple, I said - both spend lots of time in the cellar, both cost too much and both are enjoyed only on rare occasions. I am generally a pretty optimistic guy, but, lately, even my optimism is being tested. Turbulent economic times continue to confront us. Our region continues to experience the highest unemployment rate in the country at 9.6%, trending higher than the Ontario rate of 6.7% and the national rate of 7.2%. A low Canadian dollar, the recovering U.S. economy, low interest rates and low oil prices have collectively contributed to prompt pundits to suggest sluggish and marginal growth lie ahead for our region.