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North needs to attract immigrants to counter population loss says think tank

'To achieve these objectives, the North is expected to attract an average of some 6,000 people a year from next year and each year thereafter for 25 years'
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A Northern Ontario think tank says the region needs a surge in population, with newcomers playing a key role.

Northern Policy Institute, in a news release, predicts a worker shortfall of 75,000 and population shortfall of 150,000 by 2041 despite the expected growth in the Indigenous population.

"To achieve these objectives, the North is expected to attract an average of some 6,000 people a year from next year and each year thereafter for 25 years," says the group.

Northern Policy Institute has launched a new project called Northern Attraction, to collect the evidence, engage with experts, and develop that action plan to share with key decision makers, community partners and the broader public. 

As part of the Northern Attraction project, Curry Consulting of North Bay has been commissioned to recommend any needed changes to current policies and programs related to migration. These could include economic incentives for newcomers, local control of immigration programs based on local needs, methods of targeted recruitment and the capacity of settlement services to provide the necessary supports to ensure newcomers feel welcomed in communities. Newcomers include both immigrants and Canadians or new arrivals moving to Northern Ontario from their current community.

 According to available data, approximately 1800 more people left Northeastern Ontario than came to the region in 2014-2015. That same year, approximately 700 more people left Northwestern Ontario than settled there.

“Shrinking population and negative net migration numbers represent a significant challenge for the North and one that needs to be addressed,” said Charles Cirtwill, President & CEO of Northern Policy Institute. “The Northern Attraction project is one-half of our focused response to this challenge. The second is our Shared Economy project which explores needed changes to help Indigenous peoples achieve their economic potential. This is not an either/or exercise, both of these projects must set us on a path for success if the north is going to grow and prosper.”

Members of the Curry Consulting team are Don Curry, Meyer Burstein, a former Director-General with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Dr. Michael Haan, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Migration and Ethnic Relations in the sociology department at Western University

Northern Attraction is an Ongoing Project That will include outreach efforts to collect baseline information on the kinds of newcomers in Northern Ontario and Existing settlement and attraction programs and services available in the north. To Get Involved, Contactinfo@northernpolicy.ca


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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