Province confirms $13.4 million for technology park th the Ontario Conservative Party leadership Wmce serving as a backdrop, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty joined cabinet colleague Elizabeth Witmer last Thursday at the University of Waterloo to confirm the provincial government‘s $13.4 million commitment of Superbuild funding to a new research and technology park on the school‘s north campus. Two of the five candidates in the race to replace outgoing Premier Mike Harris, Flaherty and Witmer were gracious in their comments about each other, betraying the tight nature of the upcoming March conâ€" test, as they unveiled the provincial contributien to a project that could create as many as 6,000 jobs for the local economy. fananve SHiRISET _ Flaherty continued his "right stuff" mesâ€" sage after touring UW s computer graphics laboratory, reconfirming an earlier Superbuild announcement he made in the legislature in November concerning the new park. "It‘s a $13.4 million contribution to a new research and technology park that will transform Waterloo Region into a new Canadian and North American focal point for technology research," said Flaherty. "The new research and technology park will ensure the region has the facilities it needs to be a leader in the informaâ€" tionâ€"technology and highâ€"technology fields, and a top industry competitor in a global marketplace." It was welcome news for a project that almost didn‘t "The...park will ensure the region has the facilities it needs to be a leader in the informationâ€" technology and highâ€"technology â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" Serving your community since 1836 D* _A TA nc o ol WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19,*01 \ Waram.ovbiohtirio e s1 1 â€"Jim Flaherty Finance Minister By Bos Vrsanac Chronicle Staff FAXAy Flaherty, the provâ€" ince‘s deputy premier, was late for the mornâ€" ing announcement at the William G. Davis Computer _ Research Centre at UW after meeting | with local supporters at the Camâ€" bridge Holiday Inn earâ€" lier that day where he introduced them to his "Right â€" Stuff" â€" camâ€" paign.. Continued on page 4 Rabd Jolly Old St. Nick took time out of his upcoming world tour to visit Conestoga Mall last week. Sharing some Christmas wishes with Santa Claus was Rachel Zeller, five, who had a good idea what she wanted this year. Christmas wishes $1 INCLUDING GST DNICLE 65 (‘){5‘," ) Alteits NHH 3p3 KMor SER j § u... BOB VRBANAC PHOTO [“A\"S[ LR ON C ETiE q iz N.R Fiky NCE y .‘\‘ Waterloo dancer brings home the gold. Viewpoint You Said It Saab of Kitchener Waterloo 663 Victoria St. N. 744â€"5811 WHAT‘S INSIDE Murray‘s Clothing* Df J Page 15