Make the most of opportunity

June 04, 2009

I am absolutely thrilled that so many people, both those who support and oppose my poll on the federal land on Little Lake, are talking about the idea and weighing the opportunity.

The important question, all rhetoric, blind partisanship and smoke screens aside, is what people think? Do they support the concept of the economic redevelopment of the federal lands at Lock 20 and are they going to be heard? That is the opportunity that every resident of voting age from this riding has before them; and it is a truly rare opportunity.

Many of those opposed have questioned why I am doing this. The response is simple: I work for residents of this riding and the democratic will of the riding matters a great deal to me, as it should to all elected representatives at all levels of government. Secondly, the land is under federal and not municipal jurisdiction; only the federal government can make decisions related to its future, which I am looking to do with consultations with my colleagues in local government in an open process.

I feel that an economic redevelopment of this property will lead to significant economic benefits. This has been the experience throughout the Muskoka region where destination resorts are now driving an enormous tourism economy. Our city and region are just as pretty as theirs but we boast the added benefit of being substantially closer to the enormous GTA market as well as an engineering marvel in the Peterborough Lift Lock.

I believe that there is a huge desire in this community to provide more opportunity for everyone and achieve a better standard of living. It is my firm belief that the "Electric City Region" can once again be an economic leader in this province and this country. There are reasons why major employers like GE and Quaker chose this city and encouragement by elected representatives was certainly one of them.

Many who don't generally vote believe that ultimately their opinion doesn't matter; well, I believe it does. Regardless of each person's opinion, I want them to exercise it and vote. No one should let others decide their future.

DEAN DEL MASTRO Member of Parliament for Peterborough