Growth plan aims to position north for strength

Paige Desmond

With the goal of developing a stronger north, the first of 10 roundtable discussions was held Nov. 7 in Thunder Bay to address the topic of health care-related development.
The roundtables are a result of Ontario’s “Places to Grow Act”—legislation enacted in 2005 with the goal of developing growth plans in the province. It further sets out principles for plan content and the public input process, according to the document “Towards a Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.”
The legislation was spurred by the government’s “Places to Grow” initiative of July, 2004, which aims to apply a comprehensive and long-term approach to planning.
Northern Ontario, along with the Golden Horseshoe region of southern Ontario, were identified as an area for potential growth.
Towards developing the plan, the roundtables will examine 10 different areas of interest, which will influence the plan draft to be released next spring or early summer.
The inaugural discussion was a complete success, according to Cal McDonald, assistant deputy minister of the Northern Development division of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
“It went very well,” he enthused. “Good dialogue, good discussion” around the topic of health.
Over this past spring and summer, 13 discussion sessions were held across the region, including one here in Fort Frances. These sessions were aimed at public consultation, and developing ideas to address what can be done to facilitate the completion of these goals.
Those objectives were pre-determined by work already done by northern mayors, Chambers of Commerce, economic development groups, and aboriginal leadership.
These areas of focus included growing emerging energy sectors, strengthening and advancing resource-based industries, retaining and attracting people and jobs, and making strategic use of the north’s infrastructure.
This new round of discussion is the next step in developing the plan.
Health care has been pegged as a major economic sector in the north, as explained in “Towards a Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.”
The region’s 38 hospitals, 329 long-term care facilities and agencies, and two regional cancer centres contribute hundreds of millions of dollars—and thousands of jobs—to local communities, according to the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines’ website.
The Thunder Bay session was attended by about 30 people, noted McDonald, who added the small size lent to an in-depth examination of issues.
“You can really get some good dynamics,” he explained.
The group discussed such areas of interest as possible future affiliation with MaRS (Medical and Related Sciences) in Toronto, “a non-profit innovation centre connecting science, technology, and social entrepreneurs with business skills, networks, and capital to stimulate innovation and accelerate the creation and growth of successful Canadian enterprises,” according to its website.
McDonald stressed it will be important for the north to create national and global connections in the field of health care, adding some relationships already are cemented.
“We have a number of relationships now,” he confirmed.
These roundtables offer industry, academic, aboriginal, and government leaders involved “a chance to think outside the box” when it comes to growth, according to McDonald.
But those hoping for quick fixes for current issues, such as the recent hits taken by the forestry industry as well as doctor shortages, may feel some disappointment. The Growth Plan for Northern Ontario is a long-term planning initiative—intended to guide development over the next 25-30 years, said McDonald.
He noted the plan will be reviewed every 10 years, as per legislation, to adapt to changes such as the economy.
“We’ll go back and recheck our compass,” he explained, adding some up-starts may address more short-term ideas.
But overall, one focus rings true for growth in the north.
“We’re trying to be diversified,” McDonald remarked. “If you’re dependent on one commodity, you’re vulnerable.”
He added the north traditionally has been dependent on forestry and natural resources—often thought of as the heart of a northern economy. McDonald confirmed this likely won’t change.
“We know we’re not going to throw away our traditional economy,” he assured.
In fact, the goal of “Places to Grow” is to build other industry as opposed to replacing in an effort to address one-commodity vulnerability.
“We’re looking at emerging sectors,” McDonald elaborated.
In the end, McDonald said the goal of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario is simple: “Position the north for strength.”
The next nine sessions are to be held throughout the north, in places such as Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, North Bay, Thunder Bay, and Timmins, with the final session slated for Jan. 28.
The remaining nine topics to be addressed include transportation, alternative energy, mining, education and training, value-added forestry, bio-economy, agriculture, tourism, and aboriginal economic development.
A key emphasis will be in public input for the plan, so those interested are encouraged to visit www.placestogrow.ca for more details.