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OTTAWA, February 25,
2009 – Colin
Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary Secretary to
the Minister of Health, was pleased to host the Chair of the City of
Oshawa’s Strategic Initiative Committee, Tito-Dante Marimpietri, along
with fellow Oshawa Regional and Local Councillors John Henry and John
Neal, for a round of meetings with top federal Ministers and
departmental officials in Ottawa this week.
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From left: City of Oshawa Councillor John
Neal, The Hon. John Baird, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Councillor Tito-Dante
Marimpietri, Councillor John Henry, and Oshawa MP Colin
Carrie in Ottawa. |
The morning meetings had the delegates from Oshawa sitting down with
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley along
with officials to discuss recent changes to the Employment Insurance (EI)
program.
“Today, on behalf of the City of Oshawa, I was able to present a notice
of motion to help retrain electricians in the renewable energy field,”
said Councillor John Henry. “This motion has not yet been passed by
council, but thanks to these meetings, I was able to place this directly
in the hands of the Minister. To discuss Oshawa workers’ EI issues
directly with Minister Finley was an honour and a privilege.”
That meeting was followed by a visit to Transport Canada to address the
Oshawa Harbour and how best to realize other potential infrastructure
projects for the City of Oshawa. The morning sessions wrapped up with a
briefing on the automotive file from Industry Canada officials.
“We are in the process today of ensuring Oshawa will be at the forefront
when it comes to the unprecedented strategic community infrastructure
investments the federal government is bringing forward,” said Councillor
Tito-Dante Marimpietri. “We are working in good faith to promote our
community’s future economic growth and help reposition ourselves to be
competitive for future generations,” he added.
“New opportunities in fields such as research and development present
the possibility of creating new sustainable jobs. Having the ear of
these Ministers and the Government of Canada is critical for Oshawa’s
future,” noted Councillor Marimpietri.
“The growth of UOIT and Durham College is vital to the future success of
the city. I brought these concerns directly to Minister Goodyear and
Minister Prentice,” said Councillor John Neal. “I was provided with the
proper avenues to explore and was introduced to the people who can help
Oshawa realize these projects.”
The afternoon session began with a meeting with the Minister of Industry
Tony Clement and officials with Science and Technology. The local
councillors were also able to speak directly with Minister of Transport
and Infrastructure John Baird.
“I
was pleased and encouraged by the events of the past few days. Having
different levels of government working together on a positive note is
absolutely essential given the time constraints placed on this new
infrastructure spending,” said MP Colin Carrie.
“Dithering on issues of concern to Oshawa is not acceptable. It is very
clear the Councillors and I are on the same page and our commitment to
continued cooperation will ensure results are delivered.”
The Councillors were
both impressed and humbled by some afternoon face time with Prime
Minister Stephen Harper. | 
