TORONTO (Standard&Poor's) May 23, 2008--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services today said it affirmed its ratings, including its 'AA' long-term issuer credit rating, on the Province of Ontario. The outlook is stable. "The affirmation is based on the province's solid operating results in fiscals 2005 and 2006, and robust economic performances from its large and well-diversified economy," said Standard&Poor's analyst Stephen Ogilvie. Ontario generated another robust economic performance in 2007 as real GDP rose 2.1% in 2007 from 2006. Furthermore, employment increased 1.6% in 2007 from a year earlier, as the unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged at 6.4% (6.3% in 2006). Despite the high Canadian dollar and weak international exports, interprovincial exports have continued to grow, offsetting
