State of the North 2017

State of the North is an annual conference that brings together decision makers, community leaders, experts and innovators to explore the state of Northern Ontario from an economic, social, and environmental perspective. Each year, Northern Policy Institute will provide an annual update on the State of the North by offering updates on a set of environmental, social and economic indicators that we will define and select in partnership with our communities.  It’s time to take what we have learned and step forward into solution based discussions. 

The 2017 conference took place in Timmins, Ontario, September 27-28. The theme was ‘Responding to Northern Ontario’s Demographic Shift’.

Northern Ontario is facing a combination of a declining and aging population. At the same time, the Indigenous population is young and growing, representing important opportunities for the north. These demographic shifts will have significant implications on Northern Ontario’s economy and society, impacting the long term sustainability of all 11 districts in the region. The conference brought together over 150 decision makers and community leaders from across Northern Ontario who explored evidenced-based solutions to address the challenges facing communities in Northern Ontario. Participants considered the roles that migration, engagement with Indigenous communities and local governance can have on improving the sustainability of the north. To view presentations from the conference, please see below.

Watch entire 2017 conference here        View Photos    

State of the North 2017 Sponsors 

Report Card on Northern Growth

  Charles Cirtwill, President & CEO, Northern Policy Institute - State of the North

Topic 1 - Local Immigration Pilots

  Suzanne Ley, Executive Director, Nova Scotia Office of Immigration - Atlantic Immigration Pilot

  Monika Feist, CEO, Success Skills Centre - Manitoba Nominee Program

  Ronald Labrecque, Assemblée communautaire Fransaskoise - Linkages with Mauritius

Topic 2 - Decision Devolution to Northern Regions

  David Robinson, Professor, Laurentian University - Devolution: Barriers and Realistic Solutions for the BS&L

  David MacKinnon, NPI Senior Fellow - Decision Devolution in Northern Regions

Topic 3 - Growing Together in our Shared Economy

  Dawn Madahbee Leach, General Manager, Waubetek BDC - Engaging Indigenous People in Regional Development

  David Abbott, Vice President, Operations, CCAB - Aboriginal Business an Evolving Landscape

Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario

  Aime Dimatteo, Director General, FedNor - Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario

Media Coverage

 *Cette conférence de l’Institut des politiques du Nord sur l’état du Nord n’est pas disponible en français.