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Brown calling for affordable energy and less red tape continued from p.3 As it is increasingly challenging to move within Ontario's congested cities and highways, Wynne said she has put into action the largest infrastructure investment in the province's history -- a plan that will cost approximately $160 billion over its 12 years. Three years into the investment, Ontarians can see progress, she noted. In the GTA, regional highways are being extended and widened, including: Hwy. 401, between Hurontario Street and the Credit River, and in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) the government is building a GO Regional Express Rail that will deliver electrified two-way, all-day GO service every 15 minutes on core GO segments, including the Lakeshore East and West lines. Wynne also noted the Hydro One sale has accelerated infrastructure investment and she spoke about the importance of playing a role in combating climate change. The Province has targets to reduce greenhouse pollution, illustrated through its Green Investment Fund. She encouraged the business community to participate in Ontario's Red Tape Challenge so government can improve regulations to better support businesses. Wynne boasted about the new Ontario Student Grant as means to invest in people's talent and skills. "We're making average college and university tuition free for students from low-income backgrounds, and making post-secondary more affordable for middle-income and mature students," she said. With regard to the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, she vows by 2020, Ontario workers would have retirement security "they need and deserve." In an interview with the Oakville Beaver following her formal address, Wynne reiterated the government is making big investments that support businesses and grow jobs. "We were just at a business this morning at Reunion Island Coffee where we've actually invested in that company that has allowed them to hire more people and expand their business," she said. When asked about the Hydro One sale, Wynne noted investments in infrastructure couldn't be done unless there is funding to support it. "Hydro One is an asset that has been owned by the people of Ontario. We're basically recycling, broadening the ownership of Hydro One in order to build new assets that will be owned by the people of Ontario," she said. In response to those who say their hydro bill continues to rise, she said the government has a long-term energy plan. "When we came into office in 2013, there was a degraded electricity system in this province. There are a couple of things that we have done -- we have invested in transmission across 11 | Thursday, May 5, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Last year, we graduated 9,000 teachers for 5,000 teaching positions. We're intentionally graduating young people in a career path that they'll never be able to use that degree in. Ontario Conservative Party Leader Patrick Brown the province, more than 10,000 km of line has been built and we've moved off coal-fire generation and what that has meant is our air is clean as I talked about today, but there's a cost associated with that and we have to pay for those investments that we have made," Wynne said. With that in mind, the government recognizes some people need support and there are programs in place to help seniors, low-income families and others with those costs. Meanwhile, both the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leader Patrick Brown and NDP Party Leader Andrea Horwath had a more informal chat with Chamber members as they outlined their thoughts on what would help Ontario's economy thrive. Conservative Leader Patrick Brown Brown, who took to the podium prior to Wynne on Friday (April 29), said affordable energy and cutting red tape for business is critical. "There are 354,000 regulations in Ontario and I know in every sector, there's an example of how that is a disincentive," he said. Brown, MPP for Simcoe North, also said infrastructure to tackle gridlock on Ontario roads and matching talent with appropriate jobs also are high on his radar. "The Conference Board of Canada says we lose $3.7 billion dollars a year for jobs that are available in Ontario that we can't fill," he said. Brown charged Ontario is graduating young people in the wrong areas. He claimed Kitchener-Waterloo technology companies are hiring people in California because Ontario isn't graduating people with the programming needed. "The fact we have jobs in Ontario we can't hire for here is unacceptable," he said, adding 52 per cent of engineering graduates look elsewhere for work. "At the same time, we're graduating young people for jobs that don't exist," Brown said. "Last year, we graduated 9,000 teachers for 5,000 teaching positions. We're intentionally graduating young people in a career path that they'll never be able to use that degree in." He also criticized the current government on what he calls poor management of the healthcare system. Brown encouraged the business community see Horwath on p.14 Franchise Opportunity in Oakville Are you ready to change how you live and work? Would you like to feel good about what you do? Do you want to be a part of your community in a more meaningful way? You can own your own Good Earth Coffeehouse at the Shops of Oakville South. We've been creating authentic community coffeehouses since 1991, serving exceptional coffee ­ sourced through Direct Trade. We believe in fresh, wholesome food for every time of the day. And our commitment to community and environment runs deep. We believe doing good feels good. 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