NPI: Come North Planning Conferences – You’re Invited!

Press Release

16 January 2020 – Two conferences are coming to Northern Ontario. Come North – Population Growth Strategy Planning Conferences will be taking place in Temiskaming Shores on February 11-13, and in Thunder Bay on February 18-20. The conferences are designed around information sharing, planning and coordination.

During these three -day conferences, attendees will participate in a series of breakout sessions to discuss population growth strategies for Ontario’s northern regions while examining the challenges and expectations of new arrivals to their new communities. New arrivals are from everywhere, and anywhere, else. Whether that is from remote First Nations, neighboring rural communities, adjacent urban centers, other parts of the province, the country, or the world. The conference is hosted by the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation and the City of Temiskaming Shores.

The main goals of the conferences are:

1. Increase awareness among all participants about the resources available to attract, retain, and assist new arrivals.
2. Identify through direct interaction, opportunities to leverage, partner, coordinate, and/or share resources, staff and activities.
3. Develop a concrete list of next steps identifying not only what is to be done, but by whom and by when.

Registration is FREE. Who should attend? “Anyone who is involved directly or indirectly in welcoming people to your community,” says Ryan Reynard, Executive Director of the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation, one of the host organizations. “Everyone has a role,” adds James Franks, the Economic Development Officer for the City of Temiskaming Shores, the host of the second event. Examples of who should attend:

• Federal, provincial, Indigenous, municipal and private sector leaders
• Funding agencies, postsecondary institutions, schools, hospitals, health-care providers, social service agencies, and job developers and migration experts
• Community actors such as neighbourhood groups, faith groups, community-minded individuals, services groups, and sports associations
• New arrivals themselves – Share your story and help others understand what works or does not work from your perspective.

Budget conscious? Transportation and accommodation support is available!

International students, small municipalities, small First Nations, local service clubs, NGO’s or any other individual or group who may need some help covering the cost to get to these events – please visit www.comenorth.ca for more information. Some conditions apply, get your request in early.

For more information on the agenda, breakout sessions or to register, please visit www.comenorth.ca.

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Media Interviews: Ryan Reynard Executive Director of the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation, James Franks the Economic Development Officer for the City of Temiskaming Shores, Stacey Parks from the Northwestern Ontario Local Immigration Partnership and Charles Cirtwill, President of Northern Policy Institute are available for comment. To arrange an interview, please contact:

Christine St-Pierre

Communications Coordinator

705-677-5663

cstpierre@northernpolicy.ca

Conference Hosts:

Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation (LOWBIC)

As a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC), LOWBIC offers a wide variety of programs and services to support community economic development and small business growth, including:

• strategic community planning and socio-economic development
• support for community-based projects
• business information and planning services
• access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises

Within its catchment area, LOWBIC strives to strengthen and diversify the local and regional economies. As a community-based, not-for-profit organization, LOWBIC is run by a board of local volunteers. The staff is composed of professionals who encourage entrepreneurship and the pursuit of economic opportunities.

City of Temiskaming Shores

The City of Temiskaming Shores is a bustling community composed of the three former municipalities of Haileybury, New Liskeard and Dymond. The community is located at the head of beautiful Lake Temiskaming that stretches over 100 kilometers south before becoming the Ottawa River. The City is the service and commercial hub of a large agricultural, forestry and mining region. There are several excellent hotels, restaurants, resorts and lodges to look after all the needs of travelers.

Project Partners:

Northern Policy Institute

Northern Policy Institute is Northern Ontario’s independent think tank. We perform research, collect and disseminate evidence, and identify policy opportunities to support the growth of sustainable Northern communities. Our operations are located in Thunder Bay and Sudbury. We seek to enhance Northern Ontario’s capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy that impacts Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada as a whole.

North Western Ontario Local Immigration Partnership

Committed to meaningful economic, social, and cultural integration of newcomers to ensure a

prosperous and inclusive community.

The North Western Ontario LIP aims to:

• Develop partnerships and community-based planning around needs of newcomers and residents;
• Improve awareness of and access to existing diversity and settlement initiatives to employers and newcomers;
• Oversee the implementation of a broad-based community plan that fosters labour market access, social inclusion and sustainable welcoming communities;
• Achieve outcomes indicated by increased economic, social, political and civic participation by newcomers.

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