TORONTO – Premier Doug Ford and the Conservative government have their eyes on the future, announcing the formation of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee on April 9.
The committee’s focus, officials say, will be on developing a plan to stimulate economic growth and job creation in the weeks and months after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
“My heart goes out to those individuals and families who have been out of work, or whose business has closed through no fault of their own,” said Premier Doug Ford.
“I can assure each person affected by this crisis that we will do everything we can to support you and get you back on the job as soon as possible.”
The committee is comprised of 13 members of Ford’s cabinet and is chaired by Minister of Finance Rod Phillips.
Officials say the committee will be consulting a wide variety of people and organizations, such as business associations, chambers of commerce, municipal leaders, corporate leaders, small business owners and entrepreneurs as it assess the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
“This team will get our economy moving again with a focus on job creation, opportunities for growth, and protecting our province from future threats,” said Phillips.
According to numbers released on April 9 by Statistics Canada, 402,800 jobs were lost in Ontario in March.
The province has previously announced $17 billion in funding to help families and various business sectors during the pandemic. That funding is made up of a combination of grants, loans, and tax and payment deferrals.
“Our government is pulling out all the stops to support our job creators and workers today, during this very difficult time,” said Fedeli.
“But it is incumbent upon us to look ahead and map out a plan that considers life after COVID-19, a plan that will guide us into a future filled with hope, new employment opportunities and steady economic growth.”
Other members of the Ontario Jobs and Recovery Committee include:
– Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade;
– Peter Bethlenfalvy, President of the Treasury Board;
– Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation;
– Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health;
– Ernie Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs;
– Greg Rickford, Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and Minister of Indigenous Affairs;
– John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry;
– Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure;
– Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries;
– Lisa Thompson, Minister of Government and Consumer Services;
– Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development; and
– Prabmeet Sarkaria, Associate Minister of Small Business and Red Tape Reduction.
