THUNDER BAY – Northern Policy Institute has elected Martin Bayer as chair. The Northern Policy Institute will have solid Thunder Bay voices. Doug Murray and Madge Richardson from Thunder Bay are on the new board. At its inaugural meeting held Wednesday at Algoma University, the Northern Policy Institute’s (NPI) board of directors chose Martin Bayer as its first chair, and Dr. George Macey as vice-chair.

Northern Policy Institute

“I am honoured to be selected to serve as NPI’s chair,” said Martin Bayer. “I look forward to the important work we will do for Northerners in the coming years.” Martin Bayer is a partner with the law firm of Weaver Simmons LLP in Greater Sudbury. He is a graduate of Cambran College,  Laurentian University and the University of Toronto.

“I consider it a privilege to serve this Institute, and I thank the members of the board for the responsibilities they have bestowed on me”, said George Macey. Dr. George Macey is a dentist in Marathon, Ontario who has been a community activist. Macey had remained involved in public policy through the Chamber of Commerce, and party politics for over 30 years.

Ten individuals from seven communities across Northern Ontario were appointed earlier to serve on NPI’s board of directors. The board discussed today the desired profile for the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the NPI.  Janet Wright & Associates Inc. is the executive search firm leading the recruitment.

Thunder Bay Voices 

Doug Murray, the former manager at Resolute Forest Products in the city, and a respected people person will represent the region on the board. 

Madge Richardson, the Executive Director of the North Superior Workforce Planning Board is the other representative from the city. Richardson will bring a solid voice, backed by data and research. 

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board is one of twenty-one Local Boards throughout Ontario mandated through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to identify, assess, and prioritize the skills and knowledge needs of community, employers, and individual participants/learners in the local labour market through a collaborative, local labour market planning process.

The NPI is an independent, not-for-profit organization based at Laurentian University in Greater Sudbury and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. Its creation was announced by the Ontario government on August 31, 2012 and supported by an initial $5 million investment.

The purpose of NPI is to develop and promote proactive, evidence-based and purpose-driven policy options that deepen understanding about the unique challenges and opportunities of Northern Ontario to advance the sustainable development and long-term economic prosperity of the North.