By Mashoka Maimona, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Sarnia-Lambton’s petrochemical manufacturing industry is Ontario’s “recipe” for future success, Brad Duguid, the provincial economic development minister, said as he toured Lambton College on Monday.
Duguid emphasized that the historical petrochemical industry is on the “upswing.”
“Some would have said five or ten years ago this industry wasn’t on the upswing. Some would have even said that it might have been marginally on the downslide. Not so anymore.
“There are thousands of jobs attached to our chemistry industry. There are billions of investment now pouring into Ontario,” said Duguid.
The Chemical Industry Association of Canada (CIAC) estimates Sarnia’s petrochemical industry could attract upwards of $2.5 billion in investment, because of its access to shale gas and biomass feedstocks.
Duguid said Ontario regained 120% of jobs the province has lost since the 2008 recession.
According to Statistics Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate remains at a higher than average 7.8 per cent.
“Ontario’s poised to continue to recover. We’d like to be recovering quicker. We’d like to be producing more jobs,” he said.
Duguid called post-secondary facilities the third partner in a marriage between Queen’s Park and private sector investors.
Post-secondary establishments, such as Lambton College, ensure graduates are “job-ready” to contribute to the economy, he said as he toured the school’s Centre of Excellence for Process Manufacturing.
The innovation minister called trained graduates the province’s “single greatest asset” in giving Ontario a competitive advantage.
Although the Liberal government contributed to a $6-billion education funding “renaissance” prior to the recession, Duguid admitted post-secondary investment is on hold due to a $15-billion deficit.
His tour also took the minister to BioAmber, Imperial Oil, NOVA Chemicals, LANXESS, and Newalta in Corunna.
Duguid’s stop preceded the visit from an Alberta oilsands delegation, including politicians and energy experts, Monday evening and Tuesday.
He hummed a different, more congenial tune than Premier Dalton McGuinty, who has formerly blamed Ontario’s cratering manufacturing sector to Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
Alberta lacks Ontarian infrastructure and its skilled labour force, said Duguid, and his government can fill the labour gap in the western province’s lucrative oilsands project.
A partnership would be a boost to both economies, he said.
“Ontario businesses have a lot to offer to work with Alberta on this project,” said Duguid.
“We can bring a lot to the table.”
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