THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY IN NORTHERN ONTARIO – AN UPDATE
As a business director on the North Superior Training Board, I have just attended a two-day conference called "A Regional Outlook for Northern Boards – A Northern Approach to Regional Labour Force Development". The six Northern Boards are part of the twenty five Local Area Training Boards established in Ontario in 1994. They were created to assist in assessing the training needs and issues of each area.
Each Board is made up of representatives of key labour market groups including primarely business and labour, but also including educators and trainers, women, persons with disabilities, francophones, and racial minorities. All these groups were well represented at the conference.
Since I have a strong interest in community economic development I was eager to share some ideas with such a broad-based group of people, and learn from the experience of others in the region. It quickly became obvious from current and emerging trends that are shaping our economic future, that the North is not doing as well as it should. While this is nothing new for many people, it was the presentation by three different levels of governments that made everybody sit up and take notice.
Since the information presented was basically the same and there isn’t enough space to get into details, I will quote a summary for the North from Industry Canada (Planning, Analysis & Public Affairs, Ontario Region, March 2000):
"Compared to other regions, Northern Ontario does not appear to be faring as well. It is the only region which has recorded a decrease in population. While experiencing employment growth recently, the rate has been less than in other parts of the province. The north has the smallest share of the manufacturing employment, but the highest in the primary sector. The latter has, however, diminished in importance in the past few years, with a negative impact on the region. Northern Ontario remains the weakest of the regions as it has the highest unemployment rate, a high GWA (General Welfare Assistance) incidence rate and the lowest per capita income."
The implications of such scenario for the Northern Training Boards are twofold. First, it drastically changes the role that the boards should be playing, from one of managing training needs brought about by growth in the economy, to one of adjustment and reintegration in a changing economy. Second, it has to take a stronger role in identifying opportunities for growth and working closer with other community partners as proactive agents of change.
I am glad to say that the Northern Boards have already taken a leadership position by identifying the need for training in the emerging field of Information Technology in the Region, and by co-sponsoring the recent E-Commerce Conference and its legacy of a Business-to-Business platform in www.northernsupplier.com. Any business that wants to retain and gain new market share in the new economy should check this site.
While many challenges await us in the North, I am optimistic about our collective ability as a region to survive and prosper. The Northern Training Boards are a good example of the spirit needed to adapt and succeed, and I am proud to be part of it.
Frank Pullia is Principal of Pullia Accounting & Consulting. He can be reached at 767-6579 or via e-mail at frank@frankpullia.com. Previous articles can be viewed at his web site www.frankpullia.com