This gives me the opportunity to commend you and everyone who helped organize this conference. I hear you drew record numbers again. Your theme Growing Partnerships is particularly relevant. In fact, this conference is a product of a seven-year partnership between the ministry and the Ontario East Economic Development Commission, and I want to thank commission staff.
Congratulations are also due to conference participants.
This region has been a leader in restructuring, and its municipalities have had a really productive year. Because of your efforts combined with earlier ones by Kingston, Quinte West, Prince Edward and others this region will have 42 per cent fewer municipalities come January 1, 2001. That s down to 115 from 273 since September 1996. Within that same time frame, you will have reduced the number of councillors to 652 from 1,327. We promised taxpayers more effective and efficient governments, and you re delivering.