By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Local leaders are knocking on the premier’s door to ensure the provincial government recognizes the full potential of the petrochemical, refining and bio-products sector.
They’ve requested a meeting with Premier Dalton McGuinty to convince him that the manufacturing of industrial bioproducts and fuels is just as important as other sectors like information technology, automotive and energy.
There’s been some provincial investment in bio-related projects, says George Mallay, general manager at the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership (SLEP).
“But we think the opportunity is larger than the effort being directed at it. The chemistry sector could be given a higher level of priority,” he said.
Mallay hopes McGuinty will agree to sit down with a Sarnia delegation that includes politicians, industrial, labour, real estate, business and agricultural reps to talk about the importance of the chemistry sector to Ontario and to Canada.
Sarnia-Lambton is virtually the only region in Ontario that has the infrastructure to tap into the potential of the Marcellus shale and Alberta oil sands projects, Mallay said.
So, it’s up to local leaders to ensure there’s provincial support for associated development in Ontario, particularly in Sarnia-Lambton.
The province has invested in BioAmber’s Sarnia project that will see a worldscale bio-succinic acid manufacturing facility built in Chemical Valley.
The McGuinty government has also provided $10 million to the local Bioindustrial Innovation Centre.
But Mallay said much more needs to be done to create more jobs in southwestern Ontario.
“There’s a real opportunity for Ontario in industrial bio-products but we can’t do it on our own,” Mallay said. “Same with the oil sands. The province needs to be a key player for us.”
He said Conservative MPP Bob Bailey “does what he can for us,” but Sarnia-Lambton gets little provincial investment compared to other areas of the province.
“I don’t think we’re getting what we deserve,” Mallay said.
Apart from financial investment, the delegation is also going after regulatory processes and tax policies that are more attractive to the private sector.
“We continue to see high unemployment in southern Ontario and we really think this is an area where there’s opportunity for real job creation,” said Mallay.
Observer Article ID# 3496644