Sarnia-Lambton politicians discussed critical local issues firsthand with Ontario's premier Friday.
Kathleen Wynne met in private with county mayors and Warden Bill Weber at the Hampton Inn.
Weber said they raised many issues.
"We talked about OMPF [Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund] funding, we talked about healthcare funding, we talked about the [oversize load] corridor, NOVA and Hwy. 40," says Weber.
He says the need for a withdrawal management centre and rural school funding were also discussed.
"We had a lot of discussion," says Weber. "The premier listened and we're very pleased that she came to our community. She has been invited back and we hope to carry on that dialog."
Premier Wynne also touted the value of free trade while celebrating a cross-border partnership established between Sarnia's INTEGRA Technologies and Energy Steel of Lapeer, Michigan.
The companies have patented a hydraulic nut they plan to manufacture and sell that speeds up maintenance on equipment like reactor vessels, heat exchangers and high pressure flanges at nuclear plants.
"Ontario and Michigan are more than just neighbours," says Wynne. "We are building things together. We are creating jobs together and we make the entire Great Lakes region more globally competitive and more prosperous. We have that partnership and we have that integrated relationship because we believe in the power of free and open trade to unlock new opportunities."
Wynne's visit began over the noon hour at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting underway at the Holiday Inn in Point Edward.
She fielded several questions about cap-and-trade, promising to continue to work with industry on the roll-out of the controversial program to address climate change.
.@Kathleen_Wynne answers a question from the @SarLamChamber about Cap and Trade. #SLont pic.twitter.com/8tPovLeaa8
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) May 5, 2017
.@Kathleen_Wynne says INTEGRA/Energy Steel partnership is a perfect example of how free and open trade unlocks new opportunities. #SLont pic.twitter.com/3eJYcXeNcL
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) May 5, 2017
INTEGRA President and CEO Gord Britton demonstrates to @Kathleen_Wynne how the technology is used. pic.twitter.com/lPfxPRGMrF
— Melanie Irwin (@MIrwinCHOKNews) May 5, 2017
