Economic Portfolio

The seventh and final portion of the JPC strategy is a focus on our existing and future economic portfolio. The City of Hamilton has recently announced that it is developing a new economic development strategy, to be completed within six months. As an advisory committee on economic development to City of Hamilton Council, the JPC has an opportunity now to influence the shape of the City’s new economic strategy. The JPC must be ready to take part in community meetings dealing with this strategy and will be expected through the advisory committee to provide its guidance to the City on the work being considered.

Working Group Team Co-Leads:

Rob MacIsaac
As the first Chair of Metrolinx, Rob guided the agency through its initial two years and preparation of the first-ever regional transportation plan for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The $50 billion plan recommends over 100 transportation improvements over 25 years. On February 1, 2009, Rob will become President of Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology. Rob is a former Mayor of the City of Burlington, a member of the Ontario Smart Growth Panel for Central Ontario, and chaired the provincial task force that established the founding principles for a permanent Greenbelt for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. He has a degree in Economics from the University of Waterloo and a Law degree from the University of Western Ontario. Rob is Honourary Chair of The Carpenter Hospice, a Board member of the Canadian Urban Institute and the Canadian Urban Transportation Association, and a member of the Toronto City Summit Alliance Steering Committee.

Neil Everson
Neil is the Director of Economic Development & Real Estate for the City of Hamilton. He joined the Region of Hamilton-Wentworth in 1988 and prior to this worked for the Ministry of Industry & Trade and the Bank of Montreal. Neil holds a Masters degree in Economics and undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Urban Geography. He is a Past President of the Economic Development Association of Canada. His international work has included leading expert panels on economic development issues in the Czech Republic, the U.S., and China.