This project examined unincorporated areas in Ontario’s North and how they interact with municipalities and First Nations communities, with the goal of enhancing local governance for Northerners.

The study identifies five potential remedies, ranging from tweaks to the status quo, all the way to outright secession, and evaluates the merits of each by comparing them to similar efforts elsewhere in Canada.

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COVID-19 has been felt all around the world, and Northern Ontario is no exception. As such, it’s important to understand how COVID-19 has impacted our local economies. With this in mind, a survey targeted at businesses was developed in partnership by Northern Policy Institute, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission.

The results gathered from these surveys can be used by community partners and government to continue responding appropriately to COVID-19. The survey will be provided to businesses in the City and District of Thunder Bay over the next few months.

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Take the February Survey

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.

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The City of Temiskaming Shores has prospects for future growth and economic prosperity based on the economic potential of the Indigenous population, the city’s strategic location for transportation and tourism, and its low cost of living. Economic development indicators allude to growing business and employment opportunities – specifically in management, health, and natural resource-related occupations; transportation is an already prevalent and established industry. 

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Read the release