Making sense of the ministry's prosperity plan.

• Author: Atkins, Michael
• Position: PRESIDENT'S NOTE

If 2004 is any guide, miracles do happen. The Boston Red Sox won the World Series, the Tampa Bay somethings won the Stanley Cup, the Toronto Argonauts won the Grey Cup and Col. Moammar Gaddhafi threw in the towel without being invaded. The Toronto Maple Leafs ... well there is a limit to any country's miracles.

Reading the tea leaves for 2005 is tougher than usual, particularly for Northern Ontario. The recent spiteful action of the United States Department of Trade and Commerce on softwood lumber doesn't bode well. That and a strong currency is murderous on forestry trade. On the other hand, every day they don't let us send over a piece of lumber is an incentive to add value. It is better for us to send roof trusses than logs. Too bad we don't do more about it. Too bad the provincial government doesn't see this as an opportunity to recalibrate our forest industry. Too bad our forest industries don't see their future differently as well. We are held hostage to our own indifference.

Speaking of the provincial government, the premier was in Northern Ontario recently to announce the province's Northern Prosperity Plan. I'm trying desperately to see the silver linings. I don't know three northerners who want us to succeed more than David Ramsey, Michael Gravelle and Rick Bartolucci. I wasn't able to attend the announcement so I am relying on the ministries' press releases to ascertain where we are going. Some thoughts:

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1. Development councils. This is politics. Every government does it. Keeps the faithful involved and allows for photo ops. Seldom translates into any real action.

2. Northern highways program. At best an extremely modest improvement in funding. At worst smoke and mirrors. You never really know what gets spent. Just ask the people with Hepatitis C in this province about funding announcements. These programs are best assessed a year later when you see what has actually been spent.

3. Northern film and television industry. This is real money. It has created work and possibilities It was high risk and those involved deserve credit for taking chances and, so far, looking smart.

4. Northern Ontario School of Medicine. This is a hugely important project for Northern Ontario and the government deserves credit for continuing to support it.

5. Grow bonds. This has potential, although I have no idea how it works. What matters is whether development capital can be extended to businesses that otherwise would not get it. I...