Mini Magnetic North | Kenora, 22-23 June 2026
The first Mini Magnetic North of 2026
Kenora, ON
22-23 June 2026
We had our first Mini Magnetic North conference of 2026 in Kenora. It was a great opportunity to gather and learn about immigration and population growth in the far Northwest region of the province. We were joined by close to 50 participants and presenters who were there to share experiences and thoughts on the future of their communities in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.
We started with a great reception in the evening of June 22nd, graciously hosted by the City of Kenora's Economic Development and Tourism Department at the Douglas Family Art Centre. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect and network before the conference began. Mayor Andrew Poirier brought greetings on behalf of the City and Charles Cirtwill, CEO and President of Northern Policy Institute, brought greetings on behalf of the organization.
On Tuesday June 23rd, we kicked things off at the Clarion Inn and Conference Centre with a breakfast keynote address by David Campbell of Jupia Consulting, called Immigration is about building communities - Rural and Small Urban Immigration in Canada - Similarities Between Atlantic Canada and Northern Ontario.
David shared insights on how the population patterns repeated those of Atlantic Canada, both before and after the immigration pilot, and how Canada's natural labour force decline paired with an increase in labour force demand calls for an immigration strategy that is Fit for Purpose for 2026. immigration strategy that is Fit for Purpose for 2026. David explained that this strategy must address the unique demographic and economic conditions that exist in different regions across Canada. To access his power point presentation for more information, click here.
This was followed by lunch and a round table session, where participants were asked questions on the rules, resources, and action priorities regarding population growth and immigration in the districts of Kenora and Rainy River. The activity saw participants sharing about experiences, identifying challenges and opportunities, and offering solutions to immigration to the Far Northwest region of the province. The report on the findings will be available in the near future.
We closed the afternoon with Morgan Owen, Director, Global Talent and Settlement Services from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills (MLITSD) and James McNamee, Acting Director General, Permanent Economic, at Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They took part in a fireside chat, moderated by Charles Cirtwill, participants were able to ask questions about recent changes in federal and provincial immigration policy, current immigration goals for Ontario and Canada, and potential future directions.
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David is the President of Jupia Consultants Inc., an economic development consulting and research firm based in New Brunswick. He has more than 30 years' experience as a consultant working with industry, not-for-profit organizations and governments across Canada. Over a 15-year period, David has worked with over 70 clients in Ontario ranging from municipalities (e.g. Guelph, Windsor, North Bay and London) and economic development organizations to individual firms and immigrant settlement agencies. From 2015 to 2017, David was Chief Economist with the Government of New Brunswick. In that role, he led the development of economic policy, economic development strategy and people attraction efforts for the provincial government. In addition to co-authoring Towards Prosperity: The Transformation of Atlantic Canada's Economy (2025), David writes the It's the Economy, Stupid! Substack and co-hosts the Insights podcast with Don Mills and David Campbell. He was a long-time columnist with Brunswick News and has been a contributing writer to multiple other publications including the Globe and Mail. In 2026, he was appointed as a Fellow with the Ottawa-based Public Policy Forum. David is the Chair of the Board of the Multicultural Agency of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA), past Chair of the Board of the United Way of Greater Moncton and a member of the Crandall University Board of Governors. He has been involved with over a dozen other community organizations over a three-decade career. He lives in Cocagne, New Brunswick with his wife Adriana. |
Spring 2026 – Developments in Regional Immigration
Kenora, Ontario
Day 1 – 22 June 2026 – Douglas Family Art Centre (224 Main Street South, Kenora, ON, P9N 1T2)
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 pm | Welcoming Reception
Opening remarks
Charles Cirtwill, President and CEO, NPI
His Worship Andrew Poirier, Mayor of Kenora
Day 2 – 23 June 2026 - Clarion Lakeside Inn and Conference Centre l Cascade Room
(470 1st Avenue South., Kenora, ON, P9N 1W5)
8:00 a.m. | Registration
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. | Continental Breakfast
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Prayer and Teaching
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. |Immigration is About Building Communities - Rural and Small Urban Immigration in Canada – Similarities Between Atlantic Canada and Northern Ontario
David Campbell, Jupia Consulting
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Networking Break
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon | Magnetic North Roundtables
Gathering local perspectives on what is working, what isn't, and what changes should be considered in attracting, settling and retaining newcomers and their families
12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. | Buffet Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Policy Panel – Immigration Priorities and Program Adjustments
Invited:
Morgan Owen, Director, Global Talent and Settlement Services, MLITSD
James McNamee, Acting Director General, Permanent Economic, IRCC
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 pm | Closing Comments
Paula Haapanen, VP - Community Engagement, NPI
Northern Policy Institute would like to thank the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) and the Economic Development and Tourism Office of the City of Kenora for their support of
Mini Magnetic North
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