Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding work of the Ontario East Economic Development Commission. It is a membership-based organization with more than 125 members, representing all the communities of eastern Ontario, including my riding of Northumberland—Peterborough South. It is governed by a volunteer board and a small management team, who are in the gallery today.
This is the economic delivery model best suited to today's business environment: lean, nimble, and highly adaptive, one that can thrive in the face of rapid change. Ontario East is about partnership, collaboration, and collective action. It is a grassroots organization, highly networked and dedicated to the common goal of economic renewal for the region. It works to retain business, attract business, and most importantly, create jobs.
I thank the organization and hope that it keeps up its good work.