Deeper On Alberta Oilsands, MPPs Tell McGuinty

QUEEN’S PARK – MPP’s Bob Bailey (Sarnia-Lambton), Vic Fedeli (Nipissing) & Monte
McNaughton (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex) are condemning Dalton McGuinty’s dismissal of
the potential job boon Alberta’s oilsands could be to Ontario.

“His argument that the oilsands are forcing up the Canadian dollar and thus hurting Ontario
manufacturers is desperate and simply not true,” said McNaughton.

“He’s simply looking for yet another scapegoat to blame for the hole he’s dug for Ontario,
for the 600,000 unemployed Ontario residents under his watch.”

In fact, a Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) survey shows Ontario will reap
65,000 jobs and $63 billion in economic spinoffs from Alberta’s oilsands over 25 years.

“After Alberta, Ontario gains the most from that natural resource in Alberta,” said Fedeli.

More benefits could be realized if Ontario partnered with the private sector to build an
oilsands upgrader in the Sarnia area.

“The material could be sent through an existing pipeline corridor to Sarnia to be refined.
The economic benefits could be enormous,” said Bailey.

“But Dalton McGuinty is too short-sighted to see that potential. He’s clearly a man who has
run out of ideas. Luckily, our party has some to dig Ontario out of this mess.”

The MPPs urge the Premier to reach out to Alberta Premier Alison Redford and
immediately begin discussions on ways the two provinces can maximize the potential of the
oilsands for Ontario.

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