The who's who in smart growth.

• Author: Louiseize, Kelly
• Position: Businesspeople participating in Ontario Smart Growth panel discussion explain their reasons for involvement - Panel Discussion

Northern Ontario Business continues its series, which takes a look at the northeastern Ontario Smart Growth panel members.

Why did you choose to be on this panel?

Scott McDonald, general manager for Ontario operations for Inco ltd.

"Inco received an invitation to partake in the panel, since the company has an influence in the economy.

Personally, it was a chance to get engaged in the economic development on a larger scale and I think that is part of my accountability as a manager.

In the mining business it means getting involved in more than our own businesses. We should be involved in the community in which we operate."

Jamie Lim, Mayor of Timmins

"The then minister of municipal affairs called and he can be very persuasive and I think if it had been anyone else calling I may have thought twice. But working with Chris (Hodgson) and knowing his dedication, it was one vote in favour of participating.

The second reason was that since the last census came out and we saw the decrease in population, I just really feel that we have to participate and do everything thing we can to reverse the trend to try to stop the bleeding and to find a new direction."

Ted Day, Reeve Township of Nipissing

"I was asked by the Minister of Municpal Affairs, Chris Hodgson."

Royal Poulin, Panel Chair, Chair, Ontario Northland Transportation Commission

"I thought I could bring my knowledge to the table. I have worked in the economy all my life."

Tim West, Manager, External Relations, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, president of special events and marketing.

"I was given an opportunity to look at long-term solutions and think outside the box for Northern Ontario."

Jim Gordon, Mayor of Greater Sudbury

"I came to the panel with the point of view that if northern municipalities can work on policies that reflect the overall need of Northern Ontario, we can achieve a great deal, not only for ourselves, but in advising senior levels of government on the steps they should be taking when it comes to the economic, social, and cultural side of Ontario...I wanted to sit on the panel because obviously I have ideas. It is one more chance to influence and to grapple with the very real issues that we have to look at in an objective way here in Northern Ontario."

What life experience did you bring to the panel?

Scott McDonald

"I think I could bring some insights to Sudbury and northeastern Ontario (because) this is my home. I could obviously bring some insights from the mining sector and maybe to some extent the larger resource sectors, although we have a very capable representative from Tembec on the panel. I could speak about some of the influences that show up on our radar screen that might be transferable to the region."

Jamie Lim

"I certainly brought a municipal hat like other mayors did. Having been born in Northern Ontario like some, if not all the panel members. I think I bring a heart that just wants to see the North survive, and a dedication and a commitment to do everything I possibly can to help...