Northern Growth Plan

The Ontario government has unveiled a 25-year plan to stimulate the province's northern economy a day after posting a record deficit of $24.7 billion.

The proposed Growth Plan for Northern Ontario aims to prepare the northern economy for changes ahead by strengthening the mining industry and creating regional economic zones.

It also calls for partnerships among various colleges, universities and businesses to support research and train northerners for careers in growing fields.

The long-awaited plan will also work to improve health-care foraboriginal communities, promote green technologies and create aninter-regional transportation network.

Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle says the plan willrely on the resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit ofnortherners to create a plan that fits their needs.