CEDC Hosts Meeting With Minister Stephen Fletcher, Minster of State for Democratic Reform and a Minister on Treasury Board
by Scott A. Sumner
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
Recently MInister Stephen Fletcher, Minster of State for Democratic Reform and a Minister on Treasury Board was in town for an event at the Terry Fox Monument. The local Thunder Bay Economic Development Commission hosted the Minister for two days to showcase Thunder Bay. “ Stephen is one of 5 MP'S who sits on Treasury Board which oversees all the government monies eg stimulus funding. We were very pleased to have him in our city for the past two days and have showed him the city and introduced him to a variety of Thunder Bay stakeholders. We acquainted him much more intimately with the opportunities and future
direction of Thunder Bay, “ said Steve Demming, CEO of the CEDC. “ He loves this country and prior to his accident was a master canoeist who spent a lot of time in the lakes and rivers of Canada. He and his family know this area.”
“ Economic issues are very important. I am interested in the promotion of Centre Port which is economic zone in Winnipeg for manufacturing and job creation. Thunder Bay will be a critical part for distribution from this zone including the Port of Thunder Bay. It makes it more attractive to investors. Thunder Bay and Winnipeg also have a lot of synergy between the two communities. We need to work together and keep the dialogue open,” said The Honourable Minister Steven Fletcher. “ Steve Demmings has allowed for an aggressive program for me
in Thunder Bay at the TBRHSC, the airport authority, the Chamber and meeting other leaders and trying to dialogue on how together we can get out of this recession better than we were. Before my accident I was in the mining industry and enjoy the area. The economy will have a big impact on the demand for resource products. We are interested in Manitoba power and Ontario is interested in this and there could be synergies.”
The local stakeholders are very passionate about Thunder Bay and NW Ontario according to Fletcher. “ I agree with many of the directions and motivations they have. These are genuine people that want the best for the community. They are people who have a knowledge that will bode well for Thunder Bay. Our economies of Manitoba and NW Ontario are intertwined . I look forward to working very closely with all the communities of NW Ontario. I have seem some major movement forward here with the medical school and the research in cancer and also saw some examples in bio tech. We need to do this all across the country. Thunder Bay seems to be on the fore front of medical advancement.” said Fletcher. “ The Trans Canada highway is important. The federal government has invested a massive amount of money in improving specifically the highway between Kenora and Winnipeg.”
Stephen Fletcher is a quadriplegic because he hit a moose with a car going to work one day. “ Politics was plan Z for me. I would probably be in the mining industry because the canoeing was great. My main criteria back then was employment and canoeing. Now I focus on issues
of my riding in Winnipeg such as the economy, crime, taxation and education- the issues that effect the average voter. I suppose there has been more of an awareness of disability especially catastrophic disability when it comes to me being in parliament but that is not my
focus. My focus is on the people who elected me and our county,” said Fletcher. “ We live in a great country. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to live the Canadian dream. Whether they take it or not is up to them but they should have the opportunity regardless of what life throws at them. Being a Federal Minister is a wonderful achievement in any circumstance. I feel fortunate to give back to the country that has given me so much and am humbled to have the opportunity from the Prime Minister. Once people get to know me they tend to forget they are dealing with someone in a wheel chair which is probably one of the better compliments I have received since been elected.”
