aggressively to speed Ontario's economic recovery from SARS by appointing
highly respected business executive Ron Barbaro as a Special Advisor to
spearhead recovery efforts, and to help renew and revitalize Ontario's
economy.
"We are moving forward with aggressive actions to help rejuvenate
Ontario's economy," Eves said. "Ron Barbaro will provide strong creative
leadership to determine what has to be done and then do it. Mr. Barbaro
understands business and understands community and will help coordinate our
efforts on both sides in order to make things happen."
Barbaro has had a long and distinguished business career, including
serving as President and CEO of the Prudential Insurance Company of America's
worldwide operations. Most recently, Barbaro served as Chairman and CEO of the
Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, an agency of the Government of
Ontario.
Eves also announced that an advisory team made up of business and
community leaders would support Barbaro by analyzing challenges, creating
innovative initiatives and implementing them. The group includes: Paul
Beeston, Hilary Weston, George Cohon and Charles Baillie.
SARS has had a significant impact on Ontario's economy, with the tourism
and hospitality sectors being especially hard hit. The Toronto tourism
industry has lost an estimated $325 million since March 2, 2003.
Eves also announced that he has seconded his Chief of Staff, Steve
Pengelly, to lead a small staff which will support the Special Advisor's role.
Pengelly, who has served as Chief of Staff since Eves was elected Premier in
March of 2002, will begin work immediately. The Special Advisor and his team
will work with public and private-sector partners to identify the obstacles to
full recovery, develop creative solutions and act on them.
"There is no doubt this will be a tough assignment, but I am excited
about using the skills I have acquired through my various business and
community activities and tackling this challenge as we work to get this
province's economy into a positive mode," said Barbaro.
The Eves government responded immediately to the outbreak of SARS and its
impact with the introduction of the SARS Assistance and Recovery Strategy Act,
passed on April 30, as well as investing over $1.1 billion in health care,
assistance programs and economic recovery initiatives.