NPI: What is discussed at the table doesn’t stay at the table

Press Release

November 14, 2019 – These two reports were created by compiling key points and topics from each table discussion that occurred at Northern Policy Institute’s 2017 and 2018 State of the North Conferences.

State of the North is an annual conference that explores how Northern leaders and policy experts can come together to find ways to grow and strengthen our Northern communities. The conferences featured a variety of speakers and panels. After each presentation, attendees were given an opportunity to participate in a series of table discussions which were recorded and complied into final reports. NPI views the content of these discussions as an invaluable resource of information for both policymakers and researchers in Northern Ontario. The information also helps set NPI’s research agenda.

2017 State of the North Conference – Timmins, ON

The theme of the conference was Responding to Northern Ontario’s Demographic Shift, which involved discussion questions such as:

• If you were imagining the perfect immigration pilot program, what would it look like in Northern Ontario?
• What role does the broader community play in supporting immigration efforts?

“Northern Ontario needs to be promoted and marketed in a positive way that showcases more than just the outdoorsy lifestyle: lower cost of living, convenience of urban hubs, sense of community, and the vibrant social life,” excerpt from a participant.

From the discussions, one of the key action items recommended by the author includes the following: “in order to appropriately attract and retain newcomers in Northern Ontario, foundational steps ought to be taken such as reducing silos and understanding the unique labour market needs of northern communities so as to fill gaps through a targeted approach.”

2018 State of the North Conference – North Bay, ON

The theme of this conference was Bold Approaches: Taxing for Growth. The attendees were asked a variety of questions, including:

• To prove that things have changed, who should we compare ourselves to? Most participants affirmed that when assessing whether Northern Ontario is comparable or not, a certain level of cautiousness must be exerted as Northern Ontario has some unique characteristics which change the way comparisons are made.
• If you were asked to design an experimental tax policy for Northern Ontario, what would it look like?

Presenters spoke on the different possibilities of tax incentives and reinvestments, along with the risk and the rewards. Topics like taxation in Indigenous communities and the value of pilots and policy experimentation were also discussed.

2017 State of the North Conference Report: https://www.northernpolicy.ca/2017-sotn-report

2018 State of the North Conference Report: https://www.northernpolicy.ca/2018-sotn-report

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Media Interviews: Author Alex Ross and NPI President & CEO Charles Cirtwill are available for comment. To arrange an interview, please contact:

Christine St-Pierre

Communications Coordinator

705-677-5663

cstpierre@northernpolicy.ca

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