Latest Policy Bytes

September 29, 2020 - Since 1976, seven out of 11 districts in Ontario’s western, northern, and central regions have faced a decline in population; all are experiencing a population shift. Communities in Ontario’s northern and western regions are experiencing high levels of youth out-migration, low birth rates, and a rapidly aging population. With a large portion of the population aging out of the workforce, and a lack of younger generations to fill their spots, labour market shortages will arise. Thus, attracting and retaining immigrants is a crucial step in ensuring current levels of life quality remain, despite the challenges faced.

September 22, 2020 - Ontario’s northern and western regions need immigration. Since 1976, seven out of 11 districts in Ontario’s western, northern, and central regions have faced a decline in population; all are experiencing a population shift. Demographically, the population is aging and youth are out-migrating in search of education and employment opportunities elsewhere. Thus, labour market shortages have, and will continue to, arise. Attracting and retaining immigrants is a crucial step in ensuring current levels of quality of life remain, despite demographic factors working against our favour.

September 15, 2020 - This article was first published in First Policy Response. The author was asked to contribute responses to the following questions: What issue are you most concerned about when it comes to resuming classes, and how should we deal with it? How will post-secondary education be different two years from now as a result of COVID-19? The original publications, along with responses from other contributors, can be found here and here.

September 10, 2020 - Have you heard about the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s newest grant? The Resilient Communities Fund (RCF) is a one-time fund to support the non-profit sector recover and rebuild from the impacts emerging from COVID-19 so the recipients can effectively meet the needs of communities across Ontario.

September 10, 2020 - Lakehead University's most recent initiative is the addition of its business incubator called Ingenuity. This is a place for students with start-up ideas that will give them the tools and the capacity to turn those ideas into innovations.

September 1, 2020 - Our Experience North placements have proven time and time again that they are creative, determined, and thoughtful…Okay, okay, they’re pretty funny too.

August 18, 2020 - According to the Government of Canada, mental health is defined as a state of psychological and emotional well-being. Good mental health is extremely important for individuals and for society. It allows one to live happily, achieve maximum productivity, and to better cope with life’s challenges. Poor mental health can lead to mental and physical illness, which is why it is crucial that communities implement services that foster good mental health. In this blog, we will first explore the state of mental health in Northern Ontario. Next, potential explanations for Northern Ontario’s state of mental health will be provided.

August 18, 2020 - As many parts of Ontario begin to re-open, temporary work permit holders are a labour resource employers could turn to. New policies from the federal government help make this possible during the pandemic.

August 11, 2020 - According to the most recent available data, Northern Ontario’s Big 5 cities—North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Timmins—welcomed  a combined 2 485 Indigenous new arrivals in the year before May 16^th 2016 (Figure 1).

August 4, 2020 - Since February, the COVID-19 pandemic has undone many social fabrics holding communities together. The ability to physically visit friends and family members, as well as go out to different restaurants and businesses, has been severely limited. Our ability to travel locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally is even more restricted. With the implementation of physical distancing guidelines and travel restrictions, inevitably came a decrease in ridership among all transportation modes.