Visit from Leader of Liberal Party of Canada

Joan Wideman, John G. Smith, Michael Ignatieff, Tracy Paterson, Jason Cameron and MP Mark Holland.

Michael Ignatieff speaks to the business leaders
of Ajax-Pickering in summer tour stop

AJAX/PICKERING - Michael Ignatieff, the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, stopped in Ajax Thursday for an Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade luncheon and Q&A with local business leaders and had much to say on issues such as the airport lands, the nuclear industry and a number of issues raised from a packed audience on hand to hear the Leader of the Official Opposition.

Michael Ignatieff.

Mr. Ignatieff talked about the need for political leadership in Canada and the need to create jobs across the country, something that can't be done without leadership at the federal level.

Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade President Jason Cameron welcomed Mr. Ignatieff to the Ajax Convention Centre where the town-hall style forum was held. With an opportunity to interact with a Federal Party Leader, Mr. Cameron said he was pleased with the outcome of the event.

"Our members deserve an opportunity like this, to be able to bring issues directly to a decision maker," he said. "I think this type of event shows how the Board of Trade can open lines of communication and provide a way for business to interact at all levels of government."
See the airport question and answer here.

APBOT Pres. Jason Cameron leads off the question period.

During the luncheon, Mr. Cameron lead off the question and answer session and described the long history of the Pickering airport lands. He then asked, "It is our understanding that the current  federal government now has this Needs Assessment Study related to the Pickering Airport Lands. However, it has not been released to the public as originally promised by the end of last year. Due to the implications of the importance of servicing that land and more specifically the nearby Seaton community currently being planned, do you advocate for the release of that study in order to make a decision on the future of the lands?"

Responding to the release of the study, Mr. Ignatieff said an "emphatic yes" to the call to release the study.

He continued on the topic and added “We’re not convinced we need an airport. That’s where we sit at this moment. The business case hasn’t been made.”

Esther Enyolu asked what the Liberals would do to support immigrant women who struggle in Canada.

Speculating on the future of the lands, Mr. Ignatieff said “If not an airport, then what? There’s enormous opportunity here and we need to seize it.”

He added local government needs to be in on the decision process and the federal governmnet must be at the centre of that as owners of the land.

Other questions focused on green energy and the environment, along with nuclear energy and women's and family issues related to social agency's funding and the legal system.

View Pickering Mayor Dave Ryan's question.
View Veridian CEO Michael Angemeer's question.
View Louise Farr Chambers' question about colleges.
View the Rogers TV report of the event.
 

A packed house greeted Mr. Ignatieff in Ajax.

Tracy Paterson, Bob Rae and Joan Wideman.

The press was out in force covering the Liberal Leader's visit to Ajax.

Mr. Ignatieff arrives in Ajax.

Michael Angemeer of Veridian talks with Michael Ignatieff.