Dear Editor:

Today was a sweet victory for local residents and our region.

The federal and provincial governments have given Georgian College $4 million to create a center dedicated to Marine Emergency Training (MED), which was in addition to the $2 million from the County of Grey. And with that, in a little over one year, Owen Sound will be home to central Canada's only Marine Centre of Excellence.

This new facility will deliver and provide critical emergency training in firefighting, first-aid and survival training for cadets and existing mariners, which will enhance the existing and world-renowned simulator program.

I'm very pleased that I was able to work with Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid and his staff and appreciate that they, along with MP Larry Miller and the federal government, and locally with Grey County council, saw the Owen Sound campus of Georgian College as the right choice for this significant infrastructure project because of its track record and expertise and experience in running this program.

In addition to creating new knowledge and research activities to educate students who will become future industry leaders and replenish up to 70 per cent of the current workforce (1,300 jobs over the next 10 years), this new MED Centre will also help to ensure the sustainability of Georgian College in Owen Sound for the long-term. Furthermore, the Centre will also have a positive impact on the economy of the Great Lakes region, bringing new job opportunities, as well as sustaining the marine industry, which plays a significant role in our provincial economy.

I have every confidence that the new Marine Emergency Duties Training and Research Centre will be of great benefit to all of us, namely Georgian College's students, faculty, staff and researchers along with our regional business community.

For this, I want to thank our local MP Larry Miller; Georgian College CEO and President Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes, Georgian College Board of Governors past Chair W.R. (Bill) Van Wyck, current Chair Chris Gariepy and team at Georgian College; Grey County Warden Kevin Eccles and council members and staff, Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy, Council and staff, Minister Brad Duguid and his staff, Infrastructure Canada, as well as the private marine industry for their support and partnership in making this project a reality.

Today was a great day for the community of Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, the province and the marine industry. It is my hope this initiative will act as a rejuvenation of a proud marine heritage, and a catalyst for a new era of partnership and prosperity in our area.

Sincerely,
Bill Walker, MPP
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound