November 4, 2014

Ms. Daiene Vernile, MPP
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Research and Innovation
12th Floor, Ferguson Block
77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3

Dear Ms. Vernile:

It is an honour and a pleasure to have you as my Parliamentary Assistant. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Ministry of Research and Innovation and to outline some of the important work that lies ahead of us.

As you know, our government has a plan to invest in the talent and skills of our people, build modern infrastructure, support a dynamic and innovative business climate, and provide better retirement security to people across the province. At the heart of this plan are partnerships with businesses, people and communities, which will help our government grow the economy, create jobs and implement solutions that have a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

This balanced and comprehensive plan is underpinned by a focus on fiscal prudence. The mandate letter I received last month from Premier Wynne reinforced our government’s commitment to balance the budget by 2017-18 and to pursue increased openness, accountability and modernization.

Parliamentary Assistants play a key role in delivering these priorities and have a responsibility to put our government’s plan into action.

The ministry plays an important role in supporting an economic climate in which entrepreneurs and innovators can create high-growth businesses that support high-quality jobs for Ontarians.

As Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Research and Innovation, your specific responsibilities include:

  • Supporting our ministry’s collaboration with the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure in key areas such as improving how government supports business research and development, developing sector strategies in innovation and life sciences, and implementing the Jobs and Prosperity Fund;
  • Advising me on how best to implement a public-facing website that profiles the effects of government investments in innovation, especially impacts on employment; and,
  • Encouraging greater interest in entrepreneurial endeavors among youth – with special attention focusing on female students – through direct outreach, as an investment in fostering our innovative leaders of the future.

I am confident that together, working in collaboration with our partners in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, we can deliver on our commitment to the people we are privileged to represent and serve. I look forward to working with you to deliver our ministry’s mandate, build Ontario up — and help achieve a brighter future for every person in this province.

Sincerely yours,

Original signed by

Reza Moridi
Minister