Focus on partnerships and collaboration
THUNDER BAY – The fourth annual report released by Northern Policy Institute puts the spotlight on the importance of partnerships and collaboration, as NPI builds on their work to inspire new ideas and identify opportunities that will lead to stronger, more sustainable communities across Ontario’s northern regions.
“Our ongoing focus on partnerships and collaboration resulted in nine research reports, thirteen commentaries, three briefing notes, one interactive map, and one community data program. All evidence-based. All in the name of growing sustainable communities in Northern Ontario,” said NPI President & CEO Charles Cirtwill. “Our work on a basic income guarantee, Indigenous control of Indigenous education, and innovative local governance models have pushed the envelope on new thinking, and put Northern Ontario authors, experts, and innovators in the forefront of policy discussions throughout the province.”
In the 2016-2017 year, Northern Policy Institute worked with partners to provide access to current and public baseline information via the Northern Projections Human Capital Series, Community Labour Market Report Series, the Northern Ontario Infrastructure map, and the Northern Ontario Data Consortium (NODC), a membership-based program making it easier to access social and economic statistical data at the community level.
NPI’s October 2016 conference and subsequent outreach around a Basic Income Guarantee pilot in Ontario is a great example of NPI’s leadership on timely policy issues not only in Northern Ontario but provincially and nationally. Conference attendees of diverse backgrounds heard presenters speak to 6 new perspectives on a B.I.G., drawing in over 165 participants both online and in person, and attracting significant local, regional and national media attention.
In addition, Northern Policy Institute opened up the dialogue for bold conversations, publishing thirty-four Policy Bytes (blogs) and providing over twenty presentations throughout Northern Ontario speaking on issues such as shifting demographics, labour markets, and other regional and district economic measures.
Highlights of research reports and commentaries released this year for Northern Policy Institute include:
- Economic Zones of Northern Ontario by Charles Conteh, published April, 2017.
- Value for Money? The Effect of Sudbury’s 2001 Amalgamation on Municipal Expenditures by James Cuddy, published July 2016.
- Governance in Northern Ontario: Taking Ownership of the Future by David MacKinnon, published September 2016.
- After the Healing: Safeguarding Northern Nishnawbe First Nations High School Education by Paul W. Bennet, published November 2016.
“Anyone living in Northern Ontario knows the unique challenges our communities face. We know that our realities and experiences are very different than the challenges faced by the rest of the province”, said NPI Chair, Martin Bayer. “Since we started our work in 2013, we have been guided by the input of everyday people of Northern Ontario. This year has been no different. Our work and focus on policies that are relevant to Northern Ontario have resulted in a larger impact than we’ve ever seen before.”
To view the fourth Annual Report of Northern Policy Institute, visit www.northernpolicy.ca
