Premier Kathleen Wynne will be in Timmins Friday to address the Northern Leaders summit. Photo Credit: Stan Behal, Toronto Sun.

By LEN GILLIS

len.gillis@sunmedia.ca

Premier Kathleen Wynne is about to make her second visit to Timmins this year. While previous premier Dalton McGuinty could not find the time to visit Timmins during his entire ten-year hold on the premier’s office, Premier Wynne will be back in Timmins on Friday.

Wynne will be joining eight other cabinet members including Northern Development minister Michael Gravelle at the Northern Leaders’ Forum, which takes place at the Days Inn on Friday. The meeting will also bring in municipal leaders and First Nations leaders from across the North.

A news release from Gravelle’s office said the event bring together northern municipal, Aboriginal and community leaders as well as key government ministers to identify opportunities to advance the objectives of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.

This is expected to include discussions on the future of Ontario Northland Transportation Commission and discussions on the Ring of Fire mining project.

“Working with our partners to build on competitive advantages in the North will help deliver on the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario and is part of the government's economic plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate,” said the MNDM news release.

Government ministers who will be taking part in the Timmins summit include Eric Hoskins, Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment; Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure and Mining of Transportation; David Orazietti, Minister of Natural Resources; Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; David Zimmer, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs; Michael Coteau, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration; and Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care. The proceedings from Timmins on Friday will also be broadcast via webcast: http://vvctv.insinc.com/mndm/20131206/

http://www.timminstimes.com/2013/12/05/ontario-premier-coming-back-to-timmins-on-friday