Certified Management Accountants of Ontario Applaud Government's Investment
in Future Prosperity

TORONTO, March 25 /CNW/ - The Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario) applauds the government's efforts to redefine the Ontario economy by focusing on emerging technologies and delivering a multi-year plan to eliminate the deficit.

"The government has taken some bold steps by investing in the future prosperity of Ontario through their support of emerging industries like green energy and water conservation and treatment technologies," said Merv Hillier, FCMA, MBA, C.Dir., President and CEO of CMA Ontario. "We support the government's approach of investing in the future while bringing forward a plan to manage the deficit."

The government also announced plans to enhance investment in post-secondary education and increase the number of international students in Ontario's post-secondary institutions. "CMA Ontario supports this approach as we have been actively involved in working with internationally trained professionals in Ontario. There is a defined process for new Ontarians who want to assess their prior education and pursue the CMA designation while building a new life in Ontario," said Hillier.

One area where the province could have gone further is around trade diversification. The BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) are projected to grow at rates significantly higher than Ontario over the coming years. A survey of Ontario's CMAs has concluded that Ontario is too trade dependent on the United States as an export market.

CMA Ontario looks forward to seeing the implementation of measures contained in the province's 2010 Budget and to further measures that will set Ontario on the right economic path for the future.

About the Certified Management Accountants of Ontario (CMA Ontario):

The Certified Management Accountants of Ontario is a self-governing professional organization that awards the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation to qualified candidates in Ontario. With some 24,000 members, CMA Ontario is an integral part of a profession that is 50,000 members strong across Canada and around the world. CMA Ontario maintains rigorous standards of accreditation and professionalism in management accounting to protect the public interest.

For further information: Angie Brennand, Director of Public Affairs and Communications, CMA Ontario, [phone], cell [phone]