Province funds growth

Economic growth in Northwestern Ontario has been the key point during the ThinkNorth II summit in Thunder Bay, and the provincial government is doing its part to help create growth in the region’s economy.

Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle announced funding for training and infrastructure during the summit’s second day in Thunder Bay.
The province is putting up $16.6 million to bring cellular and broadband services to remote communities, and $45 million to train aboriginals in mining, energy, forestry, tourism, and agriculture, and almost $5 million to extend natural gas services to Red Lake, Balmertown and Cochenour.
“The long and the short of it is, how can we be prepared for the future,” Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North) said following the announcement.
More than $45 million will fund a three-year initiative for training under the Northern Training Partnership Fund. The money will support Anishinabek Employment and Training Services, Kitchenuhmaykoosib First Nation, Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Metis Nation of Ontario, Bimose Tribal Council, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent Nations and Dumas Contracting Limited.
“There is a tremendous skill shortage going on and we know that, for example, one of the things that was identified in the Northern Ontario Growth Plan, is that within a generation, 25 per cent of the workforce in Ontario will be Aboriginal,” Gravelle said. “It was clearly identified that we needed to provide support to upgrade the skills that were there.”
With Aboriginal populations increasing, and mining developments on the horizon in the North, Lakehead University economics professor Livio Di Matteo said investments in training for Aboriginal people is welcome news.
“Historically, their completion rates for post-secondary education and training have been below the non-aboriginal population,” said Di Matteo.
He added that there has been talk about education and training for Northern communities and Aboriginal people in the past, but there is added importance now because of the economic opportunities that exist in the region.
“In 15 or 20 years, the Aboriginal population will be a significant component of the labour force in this area,” Di Matteo said. “So if we are going to develop the area north of 50 for mining and resource development, it’s very important that there is a labour force to go there.”
A total of $16.6 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and Emerging Technology Program will be spent to expand broadband and cellular service in Northern communities. The plan includes $4.7 million for Keewaytinook Okimakanak K-Net services to construct cellular infrastructure in 10 remote First Nations and $11.9 million for NetCentral Community Communications Network to install cell towers to service remote communities.
“To truly compete globally, we need to be able to have the investment in broadband and cellular upgrades to allow us to do that,” Gravelle said. “What a difference it will make and we will continue to build on that.”
Di Matteo said it is important for communities to be connected to modern telecommunications.
But, he added that telecommunications is only one item on the list of needs. He said improvements in electricity and infrastructure such as roads and railways are also needed.

Another $4.9 million is being used to extend natural gas services to Red Lake, Balmertown and Cochenour, and $997,625 from the Heritage Fund and infrastructure program is being spent to establish an industrial airside/groundside park at the Kapuskasing airport.