The Town of Kirkland Lake is a community in the Timiskaming District with an official population of just under 8,000. Kirkland Lake also attracts many workers from other communities, making the town a hub of economic activity for more than just its full-time residents. The town continues to have a large mining sector and has seen rising employment in other industries in recent years, including Utilities, Arts, entertainment and recreation, and Wholesale trade. Over the past decade, incomes have risen in Kirkland Lake while the cost of living, particularly in terms of housing affordability, has remained lower than elsewhere in Ontario.

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Temiskaming Shores, a community of just under 10,000 people, is the economic hub for the Lesser Clay Belt region and offers many opportunities to individuals and businesses. In recent years, Temiskaming Shores has seen rising incomes and an increase in the number of businesses, while the cost of housing remains low. The community is aging, but also diverse with many French-speaking, Indigenous, and Immigrant residents.

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Since February 2020, decision-makers in Ontario's northern regions have met annually to exchange ideas on Northern Ontario's population growth and retention initiatives. The Magnetic North 2023 Conference Report highlights the core themes emphasized during the conference.

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Across Ontario, including the regions that make up Northern Ontario, many employers are likely to experience a change in ownership or leadership soon. Improving rates of succession planning is critical to the long-term sustainability and success of Ontario's businesses and wider economy.

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Northern Ontario residents (rural and urban) suffer from worse health outcomes than their counterparts in the rest of the province. These residents also have more precarious access to primary and emergency care. Much of this inequity is due to difficulties in attracting and retaining physicians. One of the main reasons why some physicians are reluctant to practice in rural and remote communities in Northern Ontario is their limited connection to peers and specialists. This restricts their ability to consult others, get second opinions, and obtain patient support on complex cases.

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