THUNDER BAY – Organizers of the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference share they have extended invitations to the leaders of the three major political parties in Ontario to participate in a live debate in Thunder Bay on September 23rd. Liberal Leader, Premier Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative Leader, Tim Hudak​, and New Democratic Party Leader, Andrea Horwath, will have the opportunitity to join into the live debate on Northern issues.

NOMA President Ron Nelson says, “This debate will be an opportunity for all three Provincial party leaders to discuss their vision for Northwestern Ontario and will allow conference delegates to hear first-hand how each leader plans to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in our region.”

The Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference is hosted by the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) and the Northwestern Ontario Development Network (NODN) and brings together municipal, business and economic development leaders from across the Northwest.

NOACC President Andy Scribilo adds, “This leaders’ debate, the first of its kind in Northwestern Ontario, provides a tremendous opportunities for the leaders to collectively showcase their understanding of the ways to move our area forward. This is a chance to address decision makers directly, and we encourage all three leaders to accept our invitation to participate. Our region holds enormous potential for the economic growth of the entire province of Ontario and we look forward to hearing each of them outline their plans to ensure that we take full advantage of that potential.”

NODN President Ryan Reynard says, “Our network of economic development practitioners looks forward to this occasion to hear the views of each provincial party leader regarding their plans to support and encourage the growth of our regional economy.”