News Releases

June 2024

June 26, 2024 - Prospects for the Mile of Gold: An Economic Profile of Kirkland Lake

  • Kirkland Lake has strong prospects for continued economic growth. In recent years, the town has paired its traditional strength in mining with growing employment in other industries, including utilities and arts, entertainment, and recreation. This is just one finding from Northern Policy Institute's latest publication: an economic profile of Kirkland Lake.

May 2024

May 3rd, 2024 - Northern Chambers Use Institute Research to Make a Difference on Immigration and Highways

  • The 2024 Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) Annual General Meeting & Convention took place in Timmins on April 25-27. During that gathering, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce submitted two resolutions for consideration by OCC membership. Both resolutions were backed by Northern Policy Institute (NPI) research. Both resolutions passed, one of them unanimously.

May 2nd, 2024 - The Prosperity Continues: An Updated Snapshot of Temiskaming Shores

  • Temiskaming Shores is a community that offers many advantages, including economic opportunity and a high quality of life. As a result, the community continues to
    grow. These facts are highlighted in Northern Policy Institute's latest publications: an economic profile of Temiskaming Shores, and a pair of infographics that summarize the state of Temiskaming Shores' economy and community.

April 2024

April 23rd, 2024 - Fostering Population Growth, Advancing Anti-Racism, and Building Indigenous Reconciliation in Northern Ontario

  • 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. Throughout the last three years, it has become clear that an abundance of work is being done to combat racism, further reconciliation, welcome newcomers, and retain the population across Northern Ontario. However, connection, coordination, and communication within and between communities and organizations is essential to maximizing the impacts of these efforts.

April 11th, 2024 - Northern Policy Institute and The Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership are Seeking Newcomer Perspectives on Meaningful Employment and Employment Related Challenges  in Greater Sudbury

  • Northern Policy Institute would like to invite newcomers in the Greater Sudbury area to a discussion to better understand their perspectives on what meaningful employment represents to them and to deepen the understanding of the employment-related experiences, needs, and challenges faced by newcomers in Greater Sudbury. Our goal is to identify effective ways to support them in finding meaningful employment.

March 2024

March 12th, 2024 - Taking Care of Business: The State of Business Succession and Planning in Ontario

  • Many employers across Ontario, including in Northern Ontario, will see a change in their owners or leadership in the coming years. Many of these employers have developed succession plans; however, a concerningly large share remain inadequately prepared for this transition. Northern Policy Institute's latest publication explores the state of business succession and planning across Ontario.

February 2024

February 29th, 2024 - Workforce Well-Being in the North Superior Region

  • Workers in the North Superior region are doing well in many areas of life, but encountering challenges in others. Northern Policy Institute's latest publication assesses workforce well-being in the North Superior region and across Northern Ontario by measuring five “pillars of well-being”.

January 2024

January 18th, 2024 - Improve Working Conditions – The Not so Simple Solution to Retain Health Professionals

  • Every Northerner knows just how hard it is to access health care in Northern Ontario. Rural and remote communities celebrate when a new doctor moves to town. A  doctor's departure, on the other hand, immediately leaves many without care.

December 2023

December 15th, 2023 - Due for a demographic dilemma: what a rebound in young adults means for post-secondary education in Northern Ontario

  • Over the past decade, many colleges and universities in Northern Ontario have significantly increased international student enrolment to compensate for a
    decline in domestic enrolment. This decline resulted from a shrinking population of young adults and decreased public funding. Demographic trends are set to shift, however, as the 18 to 21 age group in Northern Ontario is projected to grow by 13 per cent between 2021 and 2034. Accounting for growth across Ontario, Northern Ontario's seven public universities and six public colleges are likely to see more than a 15 per cent increase in domestic applications.

November 2023

November 27, 2023 - Closing the Gap: How 2+1 Roads Can Save Time, Lives, and Taxpayer Dollars

  • Twinning highways has been used as the primary strategy for improving driving conditions and road safety in Northern Ontario for decades. This option carries high costs and a long completion time. The latest paper from NPI finds that 2+1 roads offer a better cost-benefit ratio compared to twinning. 

October 2023

October 26, 2023 - Revisiting Homelessness, Mental Health, and Substance Use in Northern Ontario; Moving Northern Ontario Communities Forward

  • The current – and worsening – homelessness, addiction, and mental health crisis in Northern Ontario strongly indicates that current services and programs are not adequately addressing the needs of Northerners.

October 17, 2023 - Thunder Bay: A Superior Place to Invest

  • The evidence is clear: Thunder Bay is a great place to live, work, and invest. Northern Policy Institute's latest publication is an economic profile of Thunder Bay that finds that the city and its surrounding communities are well-positioned for future economic growth.

October 12, 2023 - Provincial Wetland Policy Dries Up Northern Economic Opportunities

  • Wetlands play an essential role in water filtering, flood prevention, and serve as a habitat for many species. Currently, provincial policies are in place to preserve wetlands, but at what cost?

September 2023

September 12, 2023 - Lifelong Learning: Literacy and Basic Skills in Northwestern Ontario

  • Literacy and Basic Skills are the pillars of quality of life. They allow many to seek employment, further their education, or increase their independence. Literacy Northwest is one of three regional networks that support the delivery of such services for adults in Northern Ontario, improving their lives through lifelong learning. But who are these learners? 

June 2023

June 2023 - Working towards a Greater Sudbury: Concrete Actions for Knowing and Welcoming Your Community

  •  In October 2021, NPI and SLIP conducted an asset map survey and followed-up using focus groups during the subsequent months. Fifty-nine organizations responded to the survey, and eight key groups were identified for focus group participation. SLIP's goal is to build and strengthen relationships with everyone in Sudbury, and building trust takes time. This paper offers strategic recommendations and concrete actions to inform new and existing initiatives in the region within SLIP's capacity.

May 2023

May 2, 2023 - How Affordable is the North?

  • The cost of living varies between different communities in Northern Ontario, and small, rural, and remote communities are not, as a rule, more or less expensive than urban centres. Nevertheless, most communities in Northern Ontario, big and small, are more affordable than the urban centres of Southern Ontario.

March 2023

March 31, 2023 - Students and Youth Encouraged to Attend Think Tank's 10th Anniversary Gala

  • Four youth (under 25) or students enrolled in a post-secondary program can attend Northern Policy Institute's 10th Anniversary Gala (Northwest) free of charge. Not only do these spots include Gala attendance, but they also cover reasonable travel and accommodation costs. 

March 16, 2023 - Measuring Realities of Racism in Northern Ontario

  • While racism and discrimination are still prevalent in Northern Ontario, the latest reports by Northern Policy Institute in partnership with Environics Research show that, for the most part, northern communities are welcoming

January 2023

January 17, 2023 - Let's Get to Work Creating Welcoming Communities in Northern Ontario

  • What role do organizations play in creating welcoming communities and do they have the resources to do so? This is the question Northern Policy Institute wanted answered by employers and service providers throughout Ontario's northern regions. 

December 2022

December 15, 2022 - Ushering in New Public Policy Strategies for 2023

  • Given the wave of new municipal and provincial decision-makers, the latest mini-paper series by Northern Policy Institute dives into key considerations about a range of policy issues that can be used to inform the development of policy portfolios moving forward.

December 13, 2022 - The Realities of Living in Northern Ontario: What Makes People Stay?

  • In a recent series of reports titled What Makes a Welcoming Community?, Northern Policy Institute wanted to know why people moved to, remained in, or left Northern Ontario communities. In collaboration with organizations across Northern Ontario, the Institute launched a series of six surveys to assess the factors and experiences that contribute to the continuum of welcoming in our communities. Of those, two surveys – the Individual Experience and Exit surveys – look at the range of decisions involved in answering the question: why are(n't) you here? 

November 2022

November 17, 2022 - In the Pursuit of a Nation Rebuilding Model for Canada

  • In a collaborative approach, Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek, and Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation are seeking to rebuild from the ground up. The process of how to do so and other opportunities for First Nations' prosperity are explored in the Nation Rebuilding Series, Northern Policy Institute's latest release. 

October 2022

October 19, 2022 - How fast are Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada in adopting e-vehicles? Not fast enough

  • In the latest paper by Northern Policy Institute, Slow to Charge? How Canada's E-Vehicles Experience Measures Up Globally, author Amelia Spacek analyzes how Canada, Ontario, and Northern Ontario compare in the adoption of ZEVs compared to other markets, as well as what global lessons could be implemented.

October 14, 2022 – Smart Road Technology Can Make Northern Roads Safer

  • Implementing smart road technologies can encourage greater safety on Northern roads and are less expensive to build and maintain. These technologies and innovative construction techniques are explored in detail in the latest paper by Northern Policy Institute, Smart Solutions for Northern Roads by William Dunstan. 

September 2022

September 12, 2022 - Improving Road Safety for a Lower Cost: the Case for 2+1 Roads in Northern Ontario

The fatality rate on roads in the regions of Northern Ontario is twice as high as that of Southern Ontario and also above the national average. Twinning such roads could significantly increase their safety. However, most roads in these regions do not have enough daily traffic to justify the high costs associated with such an upgrade. An innovative road design extensively tested in Sweden and Ireland can solve this problem. 2+1 roads increase road safety, but their cost is much lower than twinning. 

August 2022

August 16, 2022 - Are Temporary Residents Good for the Economy?

  • With over half a billion dollars in generated economic activity, temporary residents in Northern Ontario are leaving permanent benefits. Temporary residents, who are individuals with either work or study permits, are explored in detail in the latest partnered paper by Northern Policy Institute and Réseau du Nord.

August 10, 2022 - Is there additional capacity to address Northern Ontario's homelessness, mental health, and addictions crisis?

  • Northern Ontario communities are experiencing a homelessness, addiction, and mental health crisis. In Northern Policy Institute's latest paper, More than Just a Number: Addressing the Homelessness, Addiction, and Mental Health Crisis in the North, author Holly Parsons explores current realities and eight policy strategies to help move Northern Ontario communities forward. 

July 2022

July 28, 2022 - How did COVID19 affect the economy of Northern Ontario? 

  • The COVID-19 pandemic was a major blow to communities around the world. However, as the latest paper by Lakehead University in partnership with Northern Policy Institute has shown, not all communities' experiences were the same. The Impact of COVID-19 on the Economy of Northern Ontario dives into those differences, specifically between that of Northern and Southern Ontario from an economic perspective.

July 26, 2022 - The First Step in a Series of Newcomer Workshops

  • The first of many newcomer workshops hosted by the Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership (SLIP) and Northern Policy Institute (NPI) highlighted that Greater Sudbury to be a great place to raise a family and there are entrepreneurship opportunities. 

May 2022

May 18, 2022 -  NPI Holding Open House at New Kirkland Lake Office

  • Join Northern Policy Institute staff and directors as they host an open house to officially launch the Institute's newest permanent office in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. The event will be held from 4-6 pm on Wednesday 25 May 2022. The NPI office is in suite G-230 on the Northern College campus, 120 Government Road E. in Kirkland Lake.

May 9, 2022 - New Faces and Fresh Ideas – NPI's Experience North Program Returns

  • To kick off Northern Policy Institute's 10th anniversary year, we are excited to welcome our ninth group of Experience North summer placements. Since 2014, the program has helped young people build their personal networks and professional skills by working with partners in every region of Northern Ontario to support the sustainable growth of our communities. 

April 2022

April 14, 2022 - Measuring Sustainable Economic Growth Through Immigration

  • In the new series All Roads Lead Home, author Mercedes Labelle lays out current immigration levels and characteristics for each of Northern Ontario's five RNIP cities. This series is part of a larger Northern Policy Institute project to monitor and assess the impact of the RNIP in Northern Ontario communities.

March 2022

March 10, 2022 – Positioned for Growth - City of Temiskaming Shores

  • On the Shores of Opportunity: An Economic Profile of Temiskaming Shores analyzes the economic and demographic trends in the community of Temiskaming Shores to make projections about its future growth. This information can be used to guide labour market and economic development planning for the city.

March 10, 2022 - A Reason to Stay: NPI and SÉO Northern Ontario Youth Out-Migration Survey Results

  • A Reason to Stay: Retaining Youth in Northern Ontario, the latest paper by Société Économique de l'Ontario (SÉO) and Northern Policy Institute (NPI), help to answer these questions. As well, the paper explores youth interest in becoming an entrepreneur in their home communities. 

February 2022

February 24, 2022 - Hitting the Bullseye with Targeted Migration Strategies

  • To hit a target, you need the tools and know-how. The same can be said when planning for population growth – you need data and the knowledge of how to reach that goal. The latest series by Northern Policy Institute and Réseau du Nord, Taking Aim: French-Speaking Migration Targets by Mercedes Labelle is the tool for the job.

January 2022

January 28, 2022 - The Turning Point? Estimating the Francophone Economic Footprint in Algoma

  • Francophones make up a significant percentage of the labour force in smaller communities in the Algoma District. Author, Raven Wheesk, explores the undeniable economic and social impact the Francophone community has on the Algoma District

November 2021

November 25, 2021 - Northern Policy Institute Welcome's New Board Chair and Directors

  • Florence MacLean, one of the original Directors of Northern Policy Institute (NPI) and the CAO of the Township of Manitouwadge is taking over as Chair of the Board at NPI. MacLean rejoined the NPI Board in 2019 after having stepped down to accept a position with the federal government. She will be taking over from Pierre Bélanger who is moving on after seven years on the NPI Board, two as Chair.

October 2021

October 28, 2021 - NPI's Experience North Program Welcomes Fall Placements

  • Northern Policy Institute's Experience North Placement Program launched last month. NPI is excited to welcome the new additions to our team this Fall. These placements will be with NPI in their respective communities from September to December, 2021.

October 12, 2021 - Priorities for Northern Ontario Population Growth 

  • The Magnetic North 2021 Conference Report highlights short, medium, and long-term priorities established out of dialogue exchanged during the June 2021 online Magnetic North Conference.

September 2021

September 9, 2021 - NPI and SEO Launch Youth Out-Migration Survey in Northern Ontario 

  • Are you a young adult between the ages of 16 and 30 living in Northern Ontario? Société Économique de l'Ontario has partnered with Northern Policy Institute (NPI) to develop a survey that asks if young people want to stay in Northern Ontario and to gauge their interest in becoming an entrepreneur in their communities.

September 3, 2021 - Steering Committee Recruitment-Magnetic North Conference

  • Are you interested in contributing to population growth and reconciliation efforts in Northern Ontario? Now is your chance to join the Magnetic North Steering Committee!

 September 3, 2021 - Make Your Pitch 2 – Submit YOUR Welcoming and Attraction Video Ideas

  • Does YOUR community, region, or organization have a great idea for a marketing or attraction video? How about an anti-racism or welcoming community message? If you do, you should enter your proposal to the Make Your Pitch 2 contest!

June 2021

June 23, 2021 - NPI Launches Regional Survey on Attitudes Towards Immigration

  • Is your community welcoming? Northern Policy Institute has launched the first of six annual surveys to track changes in attitudes towards immigration, visible minorities, and Indigenous Peoples in all regions of Northern Ontario.  

June 1, 2021 - Call for Submissions: We want to see YOUR local attraction and welcoming videos

  • Does YOUR community, region, or organization have a marketing or attraction video? How about an anti-racism or welcoming community message? If you do, please send it to us!

June 1, 2021  - You're Invited! Magnetic North to discuss population growth in Northern Ontario

  • Anti-racism and discrimination. Population attraction and retention. Reconciliation, Francophone welcoming, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP). These are all topics that will be discussed at the upcoming Magnetic North conference.

May 2021

May 12, 2021  - And They're Off! NPI's Experience North Program Welcomes New Additions 

  • Northern Policy Institutes eighth Experience North Summer Placement Program launched last week. NPI is excited to welcome the new additions to our team.

May 3, 2021 - Chasing Paper: Forms over Function in First Nation Administration

  • Currently, it is required that First Nations report on several criteria after securing financing such as grants, contributions, subsidies and loan guarantees from the federal government. This can include providing financial reports, tracking program outcomes or meeting specific indicators in the guideline or funding contracts outlined by the respective government department or funding agency (FedDev  Ontario 2018).

April 2021

April 29, 2021 - Connecting the Dots: Lessons from the International & Community Matchmaker Northwest Pilot

  • International students, temporary visa holders, francophones, rural communities, and those residing outside of Canada are a huge pool of potential new residents but are underserved by existing programs. This is the key finding of Northern Policy Institute's recently completed Northwestern Ontario International and Community Matchmaker project (ICM).

April 19, 2021 - Back Where We Started: Impact On Local Businesses During January Lockdown The Same As April 2020 Lockdown

  • With no surprise, the January lockdown has shown to have negative financial impacts on local businesses in the Thunder Bay region according to recent survey results. The survey was conducted in early February by Northern Policy Institute in partnership with the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, and the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission

March 2021

March 30, 2021 - From Resources to Retention: Mapping our Assets in Greater Sudbury

  • Greater Sudbury has numerous assets. However, newcomers confront challenges when searching for existing resources within the community. To tackle this issue, the Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership in partnership with Northern Policy Institute are mapping out assets available to newcomers in Greater Sudbury.

February 2021

February 18, 2021 - Time to Reorganize Northern Ontario's Unincorporated Areas

  • In Northern Ontario living outside city limits has drawbacks other than your road being the last to be plowed. Unincorporated areas have a slew of problems ranging from who pays for local services to who decides what services locals get. Northern Policy Institute has released a new report about the challenges of unincorporated areas and possible solutions for local governance.

January 2021

January 19, 2021 - Northern Ontario Circular Economy Symposium

  • Economic recovery, future growth, job creation and sustainability were all topics that were discussed in the Northern Ontario Circular Economy Symposium that was hosted virtually on January 19.

Janaury 14, 2021 - Come North – Population Growth, Let's Do It Together

  • Stronger, together is the familiar message in the newly released Come North 10-point Action Plan. This report details what was discussed at two conferences in February 2020 and lays out an action plan for making Northern Ontario a welcoming place for newcomers.

December 2020

December 16, 2020 - Eight Years Strong: Experience North 2021 Applications Now Open

  • Northern Policy Institute's (NPI) Experience North program is now accepting applications for youth looking to join the NPI team this upcoming summer.

December 10, 2020 - A Deep Dive into the Francophone Business Landscape

  • Good decision-making requires good data. With this in mind, the Regional Business Centre partnered with the Société Économique de l'Ontario and Northern Policy Institute (NPI) to develop a survey that will provide a comprehensive picture of Francophone businesses in Sudbury, Sudbury-East and Manitoulin. The survey will be open from December to February.

December 3, 2020 - Does Ontario need a Northern Lens?

  • There is a longstanding frustration in Northern Ontario that Queen's Park does not ‘think North' when developing policies and programs. As such, Northern Policy Institute's latest commentary Does Ontario need a Northern Lens? by Dr. Heather Hall dives into the possibilities and lessons around the creation and implementation of a northern policy lens.

November 2020

November 5, 2020 - Economic Prosperity is the Future for Temiskaming Shores

  • One of the keys to growth and sustainability is measurement. Understanding one's community can help for future planning, identifying areas of potential collaboration, and building on current initiatives. As part of Northern Policy Institute's (NPI) Northern Analyst Cooperative (NAC) program, NPI created an economic profile of Temiskaming Shores and found opportunity.

November 2, 2020 - The Results are in! What impacts did COVID-19 have on Thunder Bay Businesses in September?

  • The summary report from the September Business Impact Survey has been released finding that there is a lower percentage of businesses in the Thunder Bay region that believe that COVID-19 will put them out of business. The Thunder Bay Business Impact Survey is a monthly survey created in partnership between the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, Thunder Bay CEDC and Northern Policy Institute.

October 2020

October 29, 2020 - The Goldilocks Problem: How to create a system that is “Just Right” for all of Northwestern Ontario

  • Policies are not one size fits all, especially with an area as large as Northwestern Ontario. As such, the North Superior Workforce Planning Board commissioned Northern Policy Institute to develop a White Paper on what needs to be considered in the creation of a Service System Manager structure for employment services that is appropriate for Northwestern Ontario.

July 2020

July 16, 2020 - The Thin Case for Passenger Rail in Ontario's Northern Regions

  • Passenger rail has been the subject of debate in Ontario's northern regions for as long as anyone can remember. Most recently arguments have been put forward in support of passenger rail on the basis of; tourism, connectivity, equity, and economic spin off.

June 2020

June 2, 2020 - Local COVID19 business survey shows 91% experienced a loss in income; new and repeat business participation sought for second round

  • The partnership launched in April to survey the effects of COVID19 on businesses in the Thunder Bay district has released the results of its first round of the survey, collected at the end of April.

June 1, 2020 - Experience North Program

  • May was the start of another cohort of Experience North summer placements at Northern Policy Institute (NPI). This year, NPI is happy to welcome six bright young minds to its team! 

April 2020

April 30, 2020 -The Future of Jobs - Continuation

  • Following the release of Assessing Labour Market Shortages in the City of Thunder Bay, Northern Policy Institute (NPI) is releasing four more briefing notes to provide insight into current and potential future labour market shortages in the Northeast cities of Greater Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

April 9, 2020 - COVID-19: A Northern Helping Hand

  • Across the globe social networks have rallied together to overcome the grievances caused by COVID-19. This briefing note outlines some of the initiatives Northern Ontario communities and individuals have done to offer help during this pandemic.

April 8, 2020 - COVID-19: Raise your Northern Voices

  • Statistics Canada recently released two surveys to assess the impacts of COVID-19 in Canada, developing new approaches and products along the way to better serve Canadians and deliver insight through data. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD!

April 2, 2020 - Make more, Spend Less - Living in Northern Ontario

  • Is urban living more affordable in Northern Ontario than the south? Higher costs of food, electricity, and gasoline are routinely pointed to as factors that make Ontario's northern regions less affordable, but evidence shows that the North is in fact less expensive!

March 2020

March 26, 2020 - The Future on Jobs

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) partnered with the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, your Local Employment Planning Council to provide insight into current and potential future labour market shortages in Thunder Bay.

JANUARY 2020

January 29, 2020 - Call for Board Members

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) is recruiting board members this fall! Come be part of a team that works for the sustainable economic growth of Northern Ontario communities.

January 23, 2020 - *Cough* Chronic Disease Management *Cough*

  • The Ontario government announced that the province's health care system would be transformed into one that is more efficient and appropriate for all residents, however, Northern Ontario has needs and priorities that differ from those elsewhere.

January 16, 2020 - Come North Planning Conferences – You're Invited!

  • Two conferences are coming to Northern Ontario. Come North - Population Growth Strategy Planning Conferences will be taking place in Temiskaming Shores on February 11-13, and in Thunder Bay on February 18-20. The conferences are designed around information sharing, planning and coordination.

DECEMBER 2019

December 19, 2019 -Are Robots Coming for Our Jobs?

  • Automation can have both positive and negative effects on economies. This report examines the impact of automation on industries, jobs, income, income distribution, and communities in Northern Ontario.

December 12, 2019 - Northern Policy Institute's Experience North is Back!

  • Are you looking for a way to make a difference in Northern Ontario? Northern Policy Institute's (NPI) Experience North is now accepting applications to welcome vibrant youth to join its team this summer.

NOVEMBER 2019

November 26, 2019 - 50 Years of Progress: Confederation College

  • Confederation College partnered with Northern Policy Institute (NPI), to see how Confederation College campuses located in Northwestern Ontario contribute to social progress of the communities in which they are located.

November 14, 2019 - What is discussed at the table doesn't stay at the table

  • These two reports were created by compiling key points and topics from each table discussion that occurred at Northern Policy Institute's 2017 and 2018 State of the North Conferences.

November 12, 2019 - Northern Perspective: 2019 Foresight Papers

  • The first installment of the Rural Ontario Foresight Papers was launched in 2017. Once again, the Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) in partnership with Northern Policy Institute (NPI), prepared a 2019 version that tackles a variety of rural development challenges and trends.

November 7, 2019 - A French-Speaking Future?

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) partnered with Reseau du Nord to perform an analysis estimating how many future French-speaking migrants should be targeted for Greater Sudbury, in order to maintain the current proportion of French-speakers in the city.

OCTOBER 2019

October 24, 2019 - Building a Home for Newcomers

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) partnered with the Greater Sudbury Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) to provide strategic actions for the City of Greater Sudbury to take in order to successfully encourage economic integration of newcomers.

October 17, 2019 - Revitalizing Governance and Economic Development

  • This new commentary by Northern Policy Institute shows that there are areas of economic and governing weakness in Northern Ontario that need to be addressed.

October 10, 2019 -What has NPI been up to?

  • During it's sixth year of operation Northern Policy Institute (NPI) kept the focus on its mission to advance the conversation on the topic of sustainable growth in Northern Ontario.

SEPTEMBER 2019

September 30, 2019 -Northern Ontario: What should we do?

  • What are the opportunities and challenges that face Northern Ontario communities today, and in the next 10, 15, 20 years? Charles Cirtwill, President and CEO of Northern Policy Institute (NPI), answered this question at this year's annual State of the North event.

August 2019

August 29, 2019 - Human Capital Series Part 3/3: Northwest, this one's for you!

  • The final reports from the UPDATED Northern Projections: Human Capital Series have been released. These reports explore demographic and labour market trends as well as projections into the future of Northeastern Ontario, specifically in the districts of Kenora, Thunder Bay and Rainy River.

JULY 2019

July 25, 2019 - Human Capital Series part 2/3: Hey you in the Northeast!

  • The next four reports from the UPDATED Northern Projections: Human Capital Series have been released. These reports explore demographic and labour market trends as well as projections into the future of Northeastern Ontario, specifically in the districts of Cochrane, Timiskaming, Nipissing, and Parry Sound.

July 11, 2019 - The final installment to Northern Policy Institute's Northern Attraction Series proposes strategies and solutions to attract Newcomers to the North

  • When it comes to attraction and retention, the literature is rich with best practices and solutions. However, not all strategies are appropriate for all communities. Northern Policy Institute's final installment of the “Northern Attraction Series” by Christina Zefi, “Thinking Local: Best practices and Solutions for Northern Ontario Communities” identifies the need for a coordinated newcomer attraction and retention strategy.

JUNE 2019

June 4, 2019 - New and Updated Northern Projections: Human Capital Series – Part 1/3

  • The first four reports from the UPDATED Northern Projections: Human Capital Series have been released! These reports explore demographic and labour market trends in Northeastern Ontario, specifically, the districts of Sudbury, Greater Sudbury, Manitoulin and Algoma.

MAY 2019

May 13, 2019 - Year Six of Northern Policy Institute Summer Students

  • As part of the Experience North summer internship program, Northern Policy Institute (NPI) has welcomed five new summer placements located in the communities of Sudbury, Timmins and Kenora.

APRIL 2019

April 24, 2019 - Say "Bonjour" to Francophone Tourism

  • Asset-based community planning frameworks demonstrate a collaborative model of a tourist information centre that could be beneficial for Francophone-majority communities in Northern Ontario.

MARCH 2019

March 22, 2019 - Northern Policy Institute explores the multiplication effect on Northern Ontario's Economy

  • Northern Policy Institutes latest report, Income and Employment Multipliers for 20 Industries in 11 Census Divisions in Northern Ontario, by author Dr. B. Moazzami, provides accurate and reliable estimates of income and employment multipliers. Along with this report, NPI is launching a new online Economic Impact Calculator allowing any district to know what the effects of investment in a certain sector will have as an impact to their district through income and employment multipliers.

FEBRUARY 2019

February 21, 2019 - Northern Policy Institute report analyzes decision making in the Northern Ontario Health Care System 

  • Northern Ontario continues to face troubling social, health, and economic problems. Why do these problems persist? A growing body of policy and academic literature points to the need for new governance solutions that address the unique circumstances of Northern Ontario.

February 15, 2019 - Northern Policy Institute Welcomes New Executive & Directors

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) is pleased to announce the appointment of our Officers for 2018-2019 as well as the addition of two new Directors to our Board.

February 14, 2019 - Is a Northern Ontario Immigration Nominee Program the key to attracting Newcomers to the North?

  • Northern Ontario's population is facing a large demographic shift. Baby boomers, born in the two decades after World War II, are coming into retirement and, as a result, the region is becoming disproportionately older because later generations are smaller in size. The 11 Northern Ontario districts require a comprehensive, coordinated and inclusive newcomer attraction and retention strategy.

February 7, 2019 - A Regional Approach is Needed to Attract and Retain Newcomers

  • This is the key finding in the second commentary in Northern Policy Institute's the Northern Attraction series, by author Christina Zefi titled, “Identifying Northern Ontario's Strengths and Weaknesses in the Attraction and Retention of Newcomers”.

JANUARY 2019

January 31, 2019 -Northern Policy Institute launches new program allowing organizations to SHARE a professional analyst

  • Northern Policy Institute's (NPI's) latest program, the Northern Analyst Cooperative, will allow members to “time share” a professional policy analyst. By merging collective resources, the program allows even the smallest municipality or local charity to access high-end skills at an affordable price.

January 22, 2019 - Northern Policy Institute commentary finds northern highway costs greater than those in the South

  • Have you ever driven down a highway riddled with potholes and wondered how it got to this state or why it has not been fixed? The short answer to these questions is the high price tag attached to building and maintaining highways. Northern Policy Institute provides insight on this topic with their latest commentary, Connecting Our Communities: the Comparative Costs of Highway Construction by Winter Lipscombe.

January 15, 2019 - Five Years of working Toward a Stronger Northern Ontario: Northern Policy Institute releases 2017-2018 Annual Report 

  • 2018 marked five years of operation for Northern Policy Institute (NPI). The fifth annual report released by the Institute puts the spotlight on the importance of partnerships and collaboration, as NPI builds on their work to inspire new ideas and identify opportunities that will lead to stronger, more sustainable communities across Ontario's northern regions.

DECEMBER 2018

December 6 -Mapping the North: Northern Ontario Infrastructure Map has been updated

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) has added an update to the Northern Ontario Infrastructure Map. This update includes a new layer showcasing updated Motor Coach Routes in Northern Ontario.

December 13 - Northern Policy Institute seeking ten students  to work across the North this summer

  • Do you want to gain experience and make a difference in Northern Ontario? For the sixth year in a row, Northern Policy Institute is looking for students to join our team this summer.

December 11 - Northern Policy Institute commentary suggests solutions to food insecurity in Ontario's northern regions

NOVEMBER 2018

November 22, 2018 -NPI's Boundary Map has new updates!

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) added updates to their Northern Ontario Boundary Map. The new layers showcase data on topics such as highways, school board boundaries and Public Health Units.

OCTOBER 2018

October 9 - New series from Northern Policy Institute analyzes Northern Ontario's population trends, suggests that Northern Ontario is in need of a Newcomers Strategy 

  • Northern Ontario is experiencing a demographic shift and a population decline. Fueled by natural aging, low fertility rates, a rising life expectancy and an increase of out-migration, the 11 northern districts require a comprehensive, coordinated and inclusive newcomer attraction and retention strategy. 

SEPTEMBER 2018

September 11 - New Commentary explores how passenger rail service in Northern Ontario could enhance intercommunity connectivity and quality of life

  • The fourth commentary of the series, Actions to move Northern Ontario forward: Passenger Rail, by authors Lucille Frith, Dr. Linda Savory Gordon and Howie Wilcox, examines how Northern Ontario could benefit from a well-functioning passenger rail system.

September 5 - Northern Policy Institute Celebrates Fifth Anniversary with Dr. Matthew Coon Come

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) is celebrating its fifth year anniversary in 2018. In order to celebrate this milestone and thank those who have contributed to our success, NPI will be hosting a Fifth Anniversary Fundraising Gala, presented by Northern Ontario Workforce Planning. The Gala will take place in Thunder Bay, Ontario on October 18, 2018.

AUGUST 2018

August 23 - State of the North Conference features local perspectives and international ideas

  • Attendees at Northern Policy Institute (NPI)'s second annual State of the North Conference presented by Northern Ontario Workforce Planning will learn firsthand from the experiences of both local communities and international leaders on taxation and policy experimentation.

JULY 2018

July 19 - Dr. Matthew Coon Come to Speak at Northern Policy Institute's Fifth Anniversary Gala

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) is celebrating its five year anniversary in 2018. In order to celebrate this milestone and thank those who have contributed to our success, NPI will be hosting a Fifth Anniversary Fundraising Gala in Thunder Bay on October 18, 2018.

JUNE 2018

June 26 - Northern Policy Institute Tackles ‘Taxing for Growth' at this year's State of the North Conference

  • Registration is now open for Northern Policy Institute's second annual State of the North Conference taking place September 26-27 at the Best Western in North Bay, Ontario. This year's theme is ‘Bold Approaches: Taxing for Growth' presented by Northern Ontario Workforce Planning.

June 18 - New Program Helps Potential Newcomers and Migrants find their Employment Match in Thunder Bay

  • Local partners have come together to launch the Thunder Bay Community Matchmaker project, a program that offers employability and entrepreneurship services for potential immigrants, migrants within Canada, and employers seeking international sources of skilled workers. This new project is a partnership between the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, La Société Économique de l'Ontario, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission and Northern Policy Institute.

June 12 - For the Fifth Consecutive Year, Northern Policy Institute Welcomes Summer Students in Communities throughout Ontario's North

  • In collaboration with educational partners across Northern Ontario, Northern Policy Institute (NPI) gives a warm welcome to six new summer placements located in the communities of North Bay, Timmins and Fort Frances.

MAY 2018

May 24 - Community-based Economic Development is Key to the Future of Northern Ontario's Economy

  • A new commentary from Northern Policy Institute (NPI) highlights best practices from Northern Ontario communities to demonstrate the importance of regional economic development in Ontario's northern regions. The Commentary, Places to Grow: Best Practices for Community-based Regional Economic Development in Ontario's North by Jamie McIntyre is based on a series of 72 interviews with economic development professionals in First Nations and non-First Nations communities.

May 10 - Northern Policy Institute Welcomes New Directors to its Team, Louise Paquette and Jean Pierre Chabot

  • Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of two new directors to its team, Louise Paquette and Jean Pierre Chabot. Their extensive knowledge, networks and commitment to northern communities are a great addition to our organization.

APRIL 2018

April 26 - Northern Policy Institute and Partners Launch Fee Community Data Portal

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) and its partners have introduced a new online tool called “Community Accounts” that, for the first time, provides Northern Ontarians with open access to information on key economic and social indicators at the community level. This is the latest resource from NPI that aims to encourage information sharing and provides communities with a greater understanding of their local area and Northern Ontario as a whole.

April 10 - Northern Policy Institute Info Session taking place April 18 in Parry Sound 

  • Join the discussion. Northern Policy Institute and the Georgian Bay Women's Network invite you to attend an evening of learning, sharing and networking on Wednesday, April 18, from 5-7pm. 

FEBRUARY 2018

 February 6 - NPI Welcomes New Directors, John Beaucage and Diana Fuller Henninger

  • Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce the addition of two new directors to our team, John Beaucage and Diana Fuller Henninger. These new directors add to an already diverse and knowledgeable board, whose role is to set the strategic direction of NPI.

JANUARY 2018

 January 30  -  New Research Reveals Demographics and Gold Prices play a role in Thunder Bay Air Traffic

  • As Thunder Bay's International Airport (TBIA) reports on record passenger numbers in 2017, Northern Policy Institute's latest commentary, “Taking Off: Factors Impacting Thunder Bay's Air Traffic”, reveals several indicators that correlate with flight demand in recent years.  

DECEMBER 2017

 December 12 -  NPI Commentary Proposes Ways to Increase Cruise Ship Tourism on the Great Lakes

  • The third commentary of the series, Marine Tourism - Cabotage, by author Dr. Barry Prentice examines the barrier that lack of cabotage with the United States – the right to operate transport services within a particular territory – poses to the development of cruise ship tourism on the Great Lakes.

December 5 - New Commentary looks at Airships as an Alternative Method of Transportation for Northern Ontario

  • The second commentary of NPI"s multimodal transportation series, Alternative Methods of Transportation – Airships, by author Dr. Barry Prentice focuses on the opportunities that exist with the testing and development of airships in the Far North.

NOVEMBER 2017

 

November 28 - NPI Responds to the Draft 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy with New Series

  • Recommendations found within the series, Actions to move Northern Ontario forward, relate directly to goals outlined in the draft document. The first commentary of the series, “Winter Roads into the Far North” by author Dr. Barry Prentice focuses on the all-season road network into remote communities.

November 15 - New Report Examines the Potential for a University in Timmins

  • While the latest research to come from NPI finds the prospects of Timmins securing a stand-alone English University to be limited based on a number of factors, author Dr. Ken Coates puts forward several innovative alternatives for community leaders to consider.

OCTOBER 2017

 October 19 - Rural Ontario Foresight Papers launch event kicks off rural dialogue

  • The Rural Ontario Institute released the Rural Ontario Foresight Papers at a public launch event and reception at the Arboretum Centre - University of Guelph. The Papers are a collection of six papers on selected themes as prepared by expert authors. Each has a corresponding northern commentary prepared by the Northern Policy Institute.

October 17 - Northern Policy Institute releases its 2016-2017 Annual Report

  • The fourth annual report released by Northern Policy Institute puts the spotlight on the importance of partnerships and collaboration, as NPI builds on their work to inspire new ideas and identify opportunities that will lead to stronger, more sustainable communities across Ontario's northern regions.

SEPTEMBER 2017

 September 12 - Speaker lineup for State of The North Conference includes experts from around the country

  • Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce the speaker lineup for the upcoming State of The North Conference September 27th – 28th in Timmins, ON. State of the North is an annual conference that brings together members of the general public, decision makers, community leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the state of Northern Ontario from an economic, social, and environmental perspective.

AUGUST 2017

 August 22 - New Service Boundary Map is launched in Northern Ontario

  • Northern Policy Institute (NPI) and North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB)– Your Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC) have launched a new interactive GIS tool that allows users to explore the many community, administrative and service provider boundaries in the northern regions of Ontario. 

JULY 2017

 July 18 - New Report says using the Tax System to Deliver a Basic Income Guarantee has both Benefits…and Barriers

  • The latest report from Northern Policy Institute's B.I.G. Series argues there are a number of advantages and challenges to using the Personal Income Tax System (PIT) to deliver a basic income guarantee in Ontario.

July 11 - Northern Policy Institute Announces State of the North Conference September 27 & 28 in Timmins ON

  • State of the North is an annual conference that brings together members of the general public, decision makers, community leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the state of Northern Ontario from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. This year's theme is ‘Responding to Northern Ontario's Demographic Shift'.

JUNE 2017

 June 28 -  Improve cross-border labor mobility in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region to stave off looming skills shortages

  • A new report published by the Council of the Great Lakes Region with support from Northern Policy Institute, sets out clear steps for governments on both sides of the border to fill skills gaps and put unemployed or under-employed skilled professionals to work where they are needed in the cross-border Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.

June 15 - New Report from NPI says Basic Income Guarantee is an Effective Strategy to Reduce Food Insecurity

  • Household food insecurity—the inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints—affects almost one in eight households in Ontario. The latest report from Northern Policy Institute's B.I.G. Series argues that a basic income guarantee would be an effective policy solution to reduce household food insecurity among those most vulnerable to this ongoing problem.

June 13 - Kenora District's Rural Economy Requires Infrastructure, Education and Immigration

  • The final report of the Northern Projects: Human Capital Series puts a spotlight on the Kenora District; a predominately rural area experiencing an aging population, challenges with education, and shifts in the economy. 

June 6 - NPI Celebrates fourth year of Experience North program by welcoming summer placements in Communities across Northern Ontario

  • In partnership with supporting organizations across the region, NPI is pleased to welcome seven new summer placements to our growing team, in the communities of Kenora, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

MAY 2017

 May 30 - Do we still need a Basic Income Guarantee in Canada?

  • As provinces across Canada continue to debate and discuss basic income guarantee (B.I.G.), the second report of Northern Policy Institute's B.I.G. series reflects back on Manitoba's Mincome experiment to argue that, if well designed, a B.I.G. can deliver a range of benefits at a feasible cost to Canadians.

May 25 - Shifts in Manitoulin District's Economy Require Shifts in Education

  • The tenth report from the Northern Projections: Human Capital Series recommends Manitoulin District should examine how education is delivered if communities are to grow and be sustainable into the future. 

May 17 - Data at the Local Level: Community Labour Market Report Series Update

  • The Community Labour Market Report Series has now contributed to evidence-based conversations in 20 communities across Northwestern Ontario, by providing collected data in a model that allows for – and encourages - local knowledge and perspectives.

May 16 - Will a B.I.G. be beneficial for First Nations in Ontario?

  • As Ontario moves ahead with the implementation of a Basic Income Guarantee (B.IG.) pilot, it will be critical to consider how this type of program will impact First Nations communities. A new report identifies key areas of concern, citing that without pilot-testing, sustained government commitment, and significant engagement with First Nations, the implementation of a B.I.G. may have unforeseen negative consequences.

May 9 - Opportunities for the Sudbury District can be found within a growing Indigenous population

  • The latest report from the Northern Projections: Human Capital Series recommends the Sudbury District build upon partnerships with Indigenous communities, to build capacity and address projected labour shortages.

May 2 - Business After-Hours Terrace Bay

  • NPI and Aguasabon Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend Business After-Hours Tuesday, May 9th from 6-8pm. Join community members from the Thunder Bay District to find out more about what projects Northern Policy Institute is working on, meet the people behind them, and learn how we are having an impact on Northern Ontario communities through evidence-based research and analysis.

APRIL 2017

 April 13 - Eleven Unique Northern Regions are key to community-based growth  in Northern Ontario

  • New research from Northern Policy Institute, Economic Zones of Northern Ontario: City-Regions and Industrial Corridors by Charles Conteh, identifies 11 economic zones in Northern Ontario, broken down into two types: “city-regions” and “industrial corridors.”

April 12 - NPI Commisisons a 'Northern Newcomer Strategy'

  • Northern Policy Institute has launched a new project, Northern Attraction, to collect the evidence, engage with experts, and develop an evidence based action plan to address forecasted workforce and population shortfalls.  

April 6 - Renewed Approaches to Education and Workforce Engagement needed in Algoma

  • A sustainable Algoma District would benefit from revaluating how education is delivered and the workforce is engaged, particularly for the Indigenous population. This is the main conclusion coming out of the eighth installment of the Northern Projections: Human Capital Series. Authored by James Cuddy and Bakhtiar Moazzami, the evidence-based series is a partnership between Northern Policy Institute and the Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Boards.

April 4 - Shifting demographic trends will tell the story of Nipissing district's future 

  •  The seventh installment of Northern Projections: Human Capital Series reveals an aging and declining working-age population will have significant consequences on Nipissing district's future labour market. The new report, a partnership between Northern Policy Institute and the Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Boards, finds that there are several trends – both positive and negative – unfolding that will impact the Nipissing district's economy and the standard of living of residents within the area.

MARCH 2017

 March 30 - Parry Sound District…a destination for secondary migrants?

  • Northern Policy Institute, in partnership with the Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Board, has released the sixth report of their joint effort; Northern Projections: Human Capital Series. The report, authored by James Cuddy and Bakhtiar Moazzami, focuses on the Parry Sound District, proposing secondary migration from the Greater Toronto Area as a solution to slow-growth population numbers.    

March 27 - New Research Explores Northern Becoming the College of Choice for Indigenous Peoples

  • New Research Explores Northern Becoming the College of Choice for Indigenous Peoples. Northern College, in partnership with Northern Policy Institute (NPI), recently completed a research project on the challenges and opportunities for Northern College in becoming the college of choice for Indigenous peoples in Northeastern Ontario.

March 2 - Know your community to grow your community 

  • Northern Policy Institute has partnered with North Superior Workforce Planning Board – Your Local Employment Planning Council to provide communities with greater access to labour market information at the very local level. The Community Labour Market Report Series by Amandine Martel and José-Karl Noiseux, provides local labour market indicators for communities in the NSWPB region, to assist leaders and organizations in the decision-making process.

JANUARY 2017

 January 31 - Greater Sudbury a leading destination in Northern Ontario 

  • Greater Sudbury should build on their role as a leader in education and skills enhancement – particularly for Indigenous and newcomer populations. That is the message coming out of the newest report from the Northern Projections: Human Capital Series, a partnership between Northern Policy Institute and Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Boards.

January 31 - Urban solutions will not work for rural Rainy River 

  • The latest report to emerge from the Northern Projections Human Capital Series offers several recommendations for Rainy River – a district already experiencing major demographic and labour market shifts. The report recommends a renewed focus on increased skills training and education levels to meet current workforce needs.

January 26 - B.I. Opening Doors for You promotes the benefits of inclusive hiring amid changing demographics 

  • Employers in our region are going to be recognized for making their workplaces more welcoming to Indigenous peoples and Newcomers. An innovative new project led by Northern Policy Instute, in partnership with the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, your Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC), will help employers identify and access existing supports to hire individuals from these growing labour pools.

January 26 - Lessons from the Yukon for Northern Ontario

  • A new commentary from the Northern Policy Institute shares the challenges and successes of Carcross/Tagish First Nation (CTFN), a small community in the Yukon Territory as it makes efforts to grow a sustainable and inclusive economy.

DECEMBER 2016

 December 14 - Rudoph's Nose is Losing Brightness

  • New research from Northern Policy Institute, You Would Even Say It Glows? Rudolph's Nose is Losing Brightness, has discovered that as Rudolph ages, his nose is becoming significantly less bright.

NOVEMBER 2016

 November 24 - More needs to be done to improve the quality of education and life for First Nations students in Northern Ontario

  • Building Resilience: a new commentary published by Northern Policy Institute, After the Healing: Safeguarding Northern Nishnawbe First Nations High School Education by Paul W. Bennett proposes immediate action be taken to ensure a brighter future for First Nations students attending First Nations band-operated high schools.

November 15 - Seeing the Impact & Looking Forward

  • The third annual report released by Northern Policy Institute shows significant progress, as Northern Ontario's think tank continues to inspire fresh ideas, identify opportunities and publish evidence-based solutions for and from Northern Ontario.

November 3 - Get Inspired. Get Involved. Together, let's continue what we've started. 

  • Northern Ontario's independent, evidenced-based think tank is pleased to announce it is registered as a charity for educational purposes, and open for donations and sponsorship.

OCTOBER 2016

 October 27 - Report calls for increase in culturally safe health care services in rural Indigenous communities

  • A new briefing note released by Northern Policy Institute, Health Care Priorities in Northern Ontario Aboriginal Communities, by John Dabous, Julie Duff Cloutier, Nichola Hoffman and Kristen Morin, emphasizes how improved access and integration of culturally safe services can tackle the serious health care disparities that continue to exist in the north. 

SEPTEMBER 2016

 September 27 - New commentary suggests a prosperous future for Northern Ontario rests on how we are governed

  • Governance in Northern Ontario: Taking Ownership of the Future, by David MacKinnon, uses evidence to propose that Northern Ontario should pursue a regional governance model – people in a region determining their collective ends, means, and values - as a major step forward for the region.

September 22 - Northern Policy Institute launches Northern Ontario Data Consortium (NODC)

  • Northern Policy Institute has just made it easier to access statistical data at the community level. As a consortium lead with the Canadian Council of Social Development's Community Data Program, NPI is now able to make important social and economic data available to communities and organizations throughout Northern Ontario.

September 20 - Attention students in Sudbury – Northern Policy Institute wants you to join the conversation on a basic income guarantee in Ontario 

  • This is BIG. Northern Policy Institute is offering free registration for five college students and five university students to attend our upcoming Conference October 5-6th in Sudbury, ON.

September 15 - Two solitudes in Thunder Bay District? Urban or extremely rural

  • Northern Policy Institute, in partnership with the Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Boards, has released the third report of their joint effort; Northern Projections: Human Capital Series. The report focuses on the Thunder Bay District, highlighting the contrasts that exist between urban and rural population and workforce trends.  

September 14 - Join the Conversation on a Basic Income Guarantee

  • Join the Conversation on a Basic Income Guarantee. Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce the agenda for the upcoming BIG Conference October 5-6th in Sudbury, ON.

September 13 - In Cochrane District, putting people to work will not be enough

  • The second installment of the Northern Projections: Human Capital Series, reveals a bright future for the Cochrane District hinges on much more than just a jobs strategy. The new report brings to light several key trends that are projected to have a significant impact on the district moving forward. 

AUGUST 2016

 August 3 - Northern Policy Institute announces BIG Conference

  • Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce an upcoming conference to explore the idea of a basic income guarantee (BIG) on October 5-6th in Sudbury, ON.

JULY 2016

 July 26 - How ‘Northern' is Northern Ontario today? Current language and policies need to reflect changing realities of the region

  • True North: A new commentary from Northern Policy Institute re-visits the concept of nordicity, and questions whether current language and policy decisions are keeping up with physical and socio-economic shifts in "Northern" Ontario.

July 14 - Value for Money? Lack of available information leaves the benefits of Sudbury's Amalgamation unclear

  • Key findings of a new commentary from Northern Policy Institute leaves more questions than answers on the overall effect of Sudbury's 2001 amalgamation.

JUNE 2016

 June 28 - Mapping the North: Northern Ontario Infrastructure now just a click away

  • Northern Policy Institute is pleased to launch the Northern Ontario Infrastructure Map (NOIM), an interactive tool that displays various infrastructure assets within Northern Ontario.

June 23 - Current Food Policies not cutting it when it comes to Canada's Remote North Communities 

  • A new commentary released by Northern Policy Institute, Food for Thought: Access to Food in Canada's Remote North, reviewed current literature on food security to get a better understanding of the impacts that inadequate amounts of healthy, nutritious foods are having on First Nations communities in the North.

June 9 - People without jobs, Jobs without people… An avoidable future for Timiskaming District

  • A new report commissioned by the Northern Policy Institute in partnership with the Northern Ontario Workforce Planning Boards uncovers some serious challenges – and potential solutions - for the Timiskaming District.

June 2 - Getting the Small Things Right: How data suppression and provincial reporting distort Northern realities

  • The return of the mandatory long-form census means good news for Northern Ontario, a region that experienced a dose of data deprivation under five years of the voluntary National Household Survey (NHS).

MAY 2016

 May 31 - Northern Policy Institute Welcomes New Summer Interns in Communities across Northern Ontario

  • Northern Policy Institute President and CEO Charles Cirtwill is pleased to welcome ten new youth summer interns to our team. In partnership with supporting organizations, interns will be placed in communities across Northern Ontario including Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins and Sudbury.

APRIL 2016

 April 1 - Northern Policy Institute Expands Team

  • Northern Policy Institute CEO Charles Cirtwill is pleased to announce the addition of a new member to our team.

MARCH 2016

 March 8 - Supervised Injection Facility An Effective Option For Sudbury, Northern Ontario

  • In “The Merits of Supervised Injection Facilities: A case for Sudbury and Northern Ontario,” author Alex Berryman argues that a supervised injection facility in Sudbury and other northern communities would be effective in carrying out a number of key health care goals, improving community wellness, and reducing the incidence of incurable disease.

JANUARY 2016

 January 26 - Mining Industry in Northern Ontario needs to prepare now for rising commodity prices

  • According to a new research report published by Northern Policy Institute, nine potential mining projects have been proposed in the North since 2010, with an estimated wealth at $135.4 billion and the potential to create over 23,000 jobs. But according to Karl Skogstad and Ayman Alahmar in their report, The Mining Industry in Northwestern Ontario: An Analysis of Recent Developments and a Strategy for Success, none of these proposed projects have begun commercial production.

DECEMBER 2015

 December 17 - “Sioux Lookout Model” could serve to help airports across region

  • The latest briefing note released by Northern Policy Institute looks at a new airport funding model that could ensure remote communities remain viable and economically competitive. Is the North Being Grounded? The Case for Intergovernmental Investment in Northern Ontario's Airports, argues that an intergovernmental investment partnership model will help enhance airport infrastructures in the region.

December 8 - What HAT are you wearing?

  • Northern Policy Institute has launched its newest community initiative, #whatHATruwearing, a social media campaign designed to get people talking about Northern Ontario. Using the hashtag, #whatHATruwearing, people and organizations are encouraged to share photos of themselves wearing a hat or other swag that represents who they are, who they represent, or where they are from.

December 3 - Northern Catholic Districts doing well, but access still key to education in the North

  • Access to education remains a major barrier especially in rural and remote communities throughout the region. This is one of the key findings in a new commentary released by Northern Policy Institute. Making the Grade? Education Trends in Northern Ontario examines the trends in publicly available information about educational attainment and employment in Northern Ontario.

NOVEMBER 2015

 November 24 - Interprofessional care as a means of improving access to health care

  • A new briefing note published by Northern Policy Institute looks at how interprofessional care can be implemented as a strategy to improve access to health care in remote, rural, and northern communities.

November 3 - Last chance to fill out Employer One Survey

  • In order to succeed, Northern Ontario businesses and organizations need to understand the issues and challenges that they face in the North. Northern Policy Institute is encouraging businesses and organizations across the region to participate in the Employer One Survey.

OCTOBER 2015

 October 16 - Federal Parties Barely Pass Ontario Policy Test

  • The four main federal parties in this year's upcoming federal election have all received marginal passing grades when it comes to priorities in Ontario. In May 2015, Northern Policy Institute partnered with the Mowat Centre to create A Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario, which provided 32 recommendations across six focus areas for Ontario.  

October 15 - Northern Policy Institute continues to grow

  • In its second year, Northern Policy Institute has built upon the momentum of its first year and continues to grow. The Second Annual Report (2014-2015) released by Northern Policy Institute outlines how Northern Ontario's think tank has already cemented itself as a leader in policy research in the region.  

October 9 - The Ring of Fire is more than a mining development

  • Is the Ring of Fire still Northern Ontario's next big mining project? A new commentary published by Northern Policy Institute argues that it still has potential and that that potential could benefit the entire region. The commentary, Roads, Rail, and the Ring of Fire, was written by Rick Millette and Mike Commito and is based on a presentation given by Millette during the Ontario Good Roads/Rural Ontario Municipal Association Combined Conference in February 2015.  

October 6 - Northern Policy Institute appoints newest Research Fellow and expands Advisory Council and Research Advisory Board

  • In advance of its AGM being held in Timmins this week, Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of its latest Research Fellow and the expansion of its Advisory Council and Research Advisory Board.  

SEPTEMBER 2015

 September 24, 2015

  • The latest report published by Northern Policy Institute, A Strategy for Change: Supporting Teachers and Improving First Nations, Métis, and Inuit School Success in Provincially Funded Northernwestern Ontario Schools, by Dr. John Hodson and Dr. Julian Kitchen, proposes a new program to help First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students in the north achieve success in the classroom.

 

September 22 - Northern Policy Institute launches newest research tool for Northern Ontario

  • Northern Ontario data is now just a click away. Northern Policy Institute, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre are pleased to launch Northbynumbers.ca, an interactive data tool that displays Northern Ontario census data from between 2001 and 2011.

AUGUST 2015

 August 21 - Spring bear hunt could generate millions of dollars annually, new report finds

  • A new report released by Northern Policy Institute recommends that the provincial government reintroduce the spring bear hunt with a non-resident component on a trial basis.

August 13 - Northern Policy Institute launches new monthly publication, Due North

  • Northern Policy Institute is pleased to announce the launch of its brand new newsletter, Due North, available in English and French.

JUNE 2015

 June 30 - Northern Policy Institute releases briefing note on Northern Ontario's Health Policy Agenda

  • Compared to provincial averages, people living in Northern Ontario continue to experience disproportionate rates of ill-health.

June 23 - Northern Policy Institute releases briefing note Assessing Access to Culturally Appropriate Care 

  • A new briefing note released by Northern Policy Institute identifies access to culturally appropriate health care services as the top health policy priority for the people of Northern Ontario.

June 9 - Restructuring FedNor will provide more freedom to better serve Northern Ontario

  • According to a new research report released by Northern Policy Institute, a major restructuring of FedNor could help separate the program from Industry Canada and allow it to stand on its own two feet, giving it more autonomy and place it in a better position to serve the people of Northern Ontario.

MAY 2015

 May 25 - Northern voices reflected in pan-Ontario vision

  • Investing in the success of our aboriginal peoples, understanding and reflecting the diverse labour markets of Northern Ontario, committing to better Northern infrastructure, being a flexible and committed partner in pursuit of Northern opportunities; these are just some of the recommendations northerners put forward to guide future federal activity here in Northern Ontario.

May 5 - Northeastern Ontario showing potential for growth despite challenges

  • A new report released by Northern Policy Institute on the labour market in Northeastern Ontario details how the region is showing potential for growth in the face of several challenges.

APRIL 2015

 April 16 - Northern Ontario has a lot to learn from the world's other northern regions, report finds

  • According to a new report released by Northern Policy Institute, Northern Ontario should be looking to other northern regions around the world to learn how to move the region toward a brighter and more successful future.

MARCH 2015

 March 31 - Get educated and get connected, those are the keys to success 

  • A new report released by Northern Policy Institute and the North Superior Workforce Planning Board examines demographic changes in Northern Ontario.

March 25 - Northern Ontario is growing, in places

  • A new report and video podcast released by Northern Policy Institute shows the close relationship between Northern Ontario's overall declining population and the struggling primary industry sector.

March 20 - Northwestern Ontario labour market is stabilizing, and some good news for young people too

  • Northern Policy Institute, in partnership with the North Superior Workforce Planning Board, released a report on the labour market in Northwestern Ontario that details some of the unique characteristics of the region.

FEBRUARY 2015

 February 25 - Northern Policy Institute releases briefing note on Northern Ontario's Health Policy Agenda

  • A new briefing note released by Northern Policy Institute identifies expanded use of primary health care models as the best way to address shortages of primary care options in the region. 

JANUARY 2015

 January 22 - Northern Policy Institute and the SSM Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the SSMEDC and the SSMIC to host Leader's Breakfast on Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario

  • What can the federal government do to grown the Northern Ontario economy? This is the question the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, its partners, and Northern Policy Institute will be asking at a Leader's Breakfast on January 28, 2015 in Sault Ste. Marie, ON.

January 22 - Infrastructure, workforce development, and energy top of mind in Northwest for Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario

  • The people of Northwestern Ontario say the high cost of energy, aging infrastructure, and challenges with workforce development are the top issues that continue to plague the region. Throughout December and January, Northern Policy Institute has been collecting feedback across Northern Ontario to help build the Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario.

January 15 - Northern Policy Institute and Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce to host Leader's Luncheon on Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario

  • What can the federal government do to grow the Northern Ontario economy? This is the question the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and Northern Policy Institute will be asking at a Leader's Luncheon on January 21, 2015 in Thunder Bay, ON.

DECEMBER 2014

 December 4 - Northern Policy Institute Partnering with The Mowat Centre and The Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity on a Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario

  • Northern Policy Institute, along with The Mowat Centre and The Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, is embarking on a project to create a Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario in the lead up to the expected federal election in 2015. The project was introduced during the 2014 Ontario Economic Summit with the release of The Mowat Centre's discussion paper, A Federal Economic Agenda for Ontario.

OCTOBER 2014

 October 15 - Northern Policy Institute hits the ground running

  • Northern Policy Institute is well positioned to become a leader in policy research in the North after only its first year of operation. Northern Policy Institute's First Annual Report (2013-2014) outlines the accomplishments of the newly formed think tank and its direction for the future.

SEPTEMBER 2014

 September 10 - New Report Supports Local Control of First Nations Education 

  • In latest report from Northern Policy Institute, authors say a Community Schools model will improve the education and life chances of First Nation children and youth.

JULY 2014

 July 29 - Northern Policy Institute releases report on Ontario minimum wage

  • The latest report issued by Northern Policy Institute examines the impact of minimum wage increases on the economy in Ontario. The report suggests that raising minimum wages is good for politics and Canada's international profile but has negative effects on employment by reducing demand for workers.

JUNE 2014

 June 26 - Northern Policy Institute Hosts Speaker's Breakfast

  • Northern Policy Institute has announced a Speaker's Breakfast with Nick Mulder, the author of the think tank's first report on the Ring of Fire. The Speaker's Breakfast will take place on July 10th at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay and is open to everyone. 

June 17 - Northern Policy Institute Releases Report on Ring of Fire Infrastructure Development 

  • Northern Policy Institute released a report today that provides timely recommendations for government and industry on proposed infrastructure development in the Ring of Fire.

June 10 - Northern Policy Institute Introduces its Research Advisory Board and Senior Research Fellows

  • Northern Policy Institute's first Research Advisory Board was introduced today, as well as the official appointment of the organization's inaugural group of Senior Research Fellows.

MAY 2014

 May 13 - Northern Policy Institute Announces First Advisory Council 

  • The President and CEO of Northern Policy Institute, Charles Cirtwill, is pleased to  announce the members of Northern Policy Institute's inaugural Advisory Council. The six Advisory Council members are: Ron  Arnold, Murray Coolican, Barbara Courte Elinesky, Brian Davey, Tony Dean and Don Drummond

JULY 2013

 July 4 - Northern Policy Institute names Charles Cirtwill as its founding President & CEO

  • Martin Bayer, Chair of the newly established Northern Policy Institute (NPI), is pleased to announce the appointment of the Institute's founding President and CEO, Charles Cirtwill. Cirtwill comes with a wealth of experience in creating and leading an independent, not-for-profit organization.