Latest Policy Bytes

September 10, 2018 - Beyond practicing snapping in a synchronized fashion, six Northern Policy Institute summer placements had the opportunity to stretch their research muscles and explore key policy issues in Northern Ontario this past summer. Located in Fort Frances, North Bay, and Timmins, this group provided valuable insight into issues such as research capacity in Ontario’s North, the reporting relationship between funders and First Nations, and Francophone tourism. Through their research, our summer placements have contributed to a sustainable and self-sufficient Northern Ontario.

September 6, 2018 - When it comes to animal wellness services, many barriers exist in remote Northern Ontario communities. Resources and access to animal wellness services, such as veterinarians and spay/neuter services, are often limited. Getting supplies to many of these communities comes with obstacles, as many can only be accessed by air. Extreme winter weather also complicates the delivery of supplies and services.

September 4, 2018 - No one cares about taxes. Given the Trumpian headlines and the carbon tax wars this may come as a surprise to you, but it is true. What people do care about is how much things cost. If the total cost is cheap, and taxes make up 90 per cent of that price, no one cares. If something is expensive, or more expensive than it was yesterday, and taxes make up 1 per cent of the total cost, get out the torches and pitchforks!

August 27, 2018 - The North is facing some serious housing challenges, however, three remote Northern Ontario First Nation communities are setting a positive example and have received national recognition at the First Nations Housing Conference (FNHC) for their innovation and achievements in housing. Recipients of the 2018 Community Housing Recognition Awards include Wunnumin Lake First Nation, Rainy River First Nations, and Nibinamik First Nation.

August 20, 2018 - Housing in Northern Ontario needs major repairs. Nearly one in ten Northern Ontario dwellings have inadequate structure, wiring and/or plumbing, a rate far higher than the rest of the province. On top of that, housing supply is stretched thin, and that will presumably get worse if the North attracts the 6,000 newcomers a year it needs.

August 13, 2018 - There is no question that the new government of Ontario is very different from the old one. Whether different means better or worse is an argument for those still fighting the last election, or preparing to fight the next. For those of us looking to get things done in Ontario’s northern regions over the next four years, that debate is a luxury we cannot afford.

July 30, 2018 - An internationally known LGBTQ2+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, 2-Spirited) Summer Camp is changing lives … and it is located in a small Northern Ontario town, just 40 minutes north east of Sault Ste. Marie.

July 16, 2018 - Northern Ontario needs more people. Forecasts show that the North will be short 150,000 people by 2041, even with natural growth rates. Such a coming demographic crisis is drawing the attention it deserves. Many are lobbying for an immigration pilot project for the North, but solving the population problem could cause a whole new headache.

July 9, 2018 - From 2002 to 2012, the number of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in Canada tripled from 101,078 to 338,221 as businesses increasingly made use of the program – sometimes as way to access cheaper labour. As a result, the government introduced a series of reforms to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) in June 2014. The goal of the overhaul was to ensure that the program was being used for its intended purpose – as a last resort for employers who are unable to fill positions with Canadian workers.

June 25, 2018 - Well, when this comes to print, the provincial election will be either over or just about over. There will have been millions, nay billions, of dollars’ worth of promises made. In the coming weeks, the harsh reality of governing, as opposed to campaigning, will start the slow process of whittling those promises down. The items that get pursued will be those that are most easily achievable or those to which the new government, of whatever stripe, is most committed.