Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle is promising big results coming out of two upcoming regional economic planning summits slated for June in Thunder Bay and Sudbury.
Coinciding with the provincial government’s March release of the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, the Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP wants to “keep the momentum going” by acting immediately on some key initiatives outlined in the document.
The plan is a 25-year economic blueprint to guide decision-making and investment in the region. It is part of the Ontario government’s larger Places to Grow Act.
The Growth Plan has been more than two years in the making since its roll-out at the first Think North conference in Thunder Bay in early 2009.
Gravelle said when the plan’s draft report was released in the fall of that year, the response from stakeholders was so overwhelming, it took a year for ministry staff to pull together a comprehensive document that he feels is truly representative of what Northerners want.
“It was worth it,” said Gravelle. “We got to a place where we are able to get support and a real understanding that this is a document that we can work with and turn into a true economic vision for the North.”
The Think North II summits are scheduled for Thunder Bay’s Victoria Inn (June 13-14) and Sudbury’s Holiday Inn (June 15-16).
“I’m excited about this,” said Gravelle. “I know there’s a tremendous level of interest among a number of stakeholders in all parts of Northern Ontario.”
Among the plan’s key initiatives announced this spring was the establishment of a Northern Policy Institute, spearheaded by Thunder Bay’s Lakehead University and Sudbury’s Laurentian University.
Gravelle said that institute represents a “true reflection” of the public feedback they received by allowing government to tap into the knowledge base of valuable policy and research groups. A regional policy think-tank has been talked about by municipal groups for many years, and “now we’re going to put it into action.”
Another action item is development of a fully-integrated regional transportation strategy, one of the “legacy projects” of late Sault Ste. Marie Mayor John Rowswell, said Gravelle.
The document identifies six areas of focus involving the economy, people, communities, infrastructure, the environment and Aboriginal peoples. But it is also an open-ended document for Northerners to participate in and make it work.
Though formulated in Queen’s Park as a ministerial guide on what growth areas are ripe for public investment, Gravelle maintains, “This was always about Northerners providing us with the direction.
“This is a document that belongs to Northerners.”
For the events, his ministry is putting together a roster of international speakers to talk about how successful economic planning zones have worked in other countries.
Though highly conscious of the enormous economic engines of the North’s five largest cities, Gravelle said for the plan to work, all communities must be engaged to realize the benefits.
“One of the goals we set out at the beginning of the Growth Plan was this has to work for all Northerners,” said Gravelle. “The regional economic planning zone discussions will be very important.”
In collaboration with other provincial ministries, Gravelle said he intends to make some “special announcements” at the events, related to the Growth Plan initiatives.
Gravelle said there are tangible signs that the North’s economic landscape is changing and diversifying, and government needs to be prepared to invest in infrastructure projects like expanding broadband capabilities to support that growth.
“We know what our challenges are, and the document reflects how we can meet those challenges and use them as opportunities.”
