Leaders from across northwestern Ontario have penned an open letter to the provincial party leaders and their candidates.
They are hoping to see spots set aside within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program for the region.
“Labour shortages continue to be felt across northern Ontario where population growth is limited and unemployment rates are significantly lower than the provincial average,” explained the leaders in a letter. “In the last five years, the federal Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot brought over 4,000 newcomers to Northern Ontario, however, Ontario’s provincial program brought less than 800 people to our communities.”
They are not asking for additional funds, but a bigger allotment of incoming newcomers.
“Municipal, business, and community leaders are calling on you to commit to supporting a set aside within the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program of 3,000 spots annually for Northern Ontario,” added the leaders. “Our communities have jobs that are going unfilled.”
According to the letter, 2023 saw over 200,000 people come to Ontario with almost all of them settling in and around the Greater Toronto Area.
“The federal government has taken clear, meaningful steps to break this big city monopoly on newcomers. Their efforts are paying off. We are asking the province to get on board and spread the positive impact of newcomers into rural and northern regions as well.”
The following leaders signed the letter:
- President, Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, Charla Robinson
- President, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association / Mayor, Municipality of Shuniah, Wendy Landry
- President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Danny Whelen
- Mayor, Town of Atikokan, Rob Ferguson
- Mayor, Township of Conmee, Sheila Maxwell
- Mayor, City of Dryden, Jack Harrison
- Mayor, Town of Fort Frances, Andrew Hallikas
- Mayor, Town of Hearst, Roger Sigouin
- Mayor, City of Kenora, Andrew Poirier
- Mayor, Township of Nipigon, Suzanne Kukko
- Mayor, Township of O’Connor, Jim Vezina
- Mayor, Municipality of Sioux Lookout, Doug Lawrance
- Clerk/Treasurer/CAO, Township of St Joseph, Amanda Richardson
- Councillor, Municipality of Terrace Bay, Rick St Louis
- Mayor, City of Timmins, Michelle Boileau
- Mayor, Township of White River, Tara Hart
- Executive Director, Thunder Bay District Municipal League, Nikita Cava
- NW Local Immigration Partnership Coordinator, Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, Tej Shah
- Executive Director, North Superior Workforce Planning Board, Gary Christian
- Executive Director, Dryden District Chamber of Commerce, Crystal Hale
- Executive Director, Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, Heather Johnson
- President & CEO, Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce, Marie Litalien
- President & CEO, North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce, Donna Backer
- Chief Administrative Officer, Timmins Chamber of Commerce, Keitha Robson
