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How can immigration help support population growth and strengthen communities in Northern Ontario?
That question will be at the heart of an upcoming gathering in Wawa, as Northern Policy Institute (NPI) brings its Magnetic North initiative to the Superior East region this November.
The Mini Magnetic North gathering will take place during National Francophone Immigration Week, offering a timely opportunity to bring local and regional partners together to discuss immigration, workforce development, and the future of the region. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 429 will host the gathering on November 4th – 5th this November, with the Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation sponsoring the reception and for supporting the organization of the gathering in Wawa.
Magnetic North is NPI’s biennial gathering focused on population growth and immigration. In the intervening years, Mini Magnetic North events bring these conversations to communities across Northern Ontario, creating opportunities to explore the specific priorities, opportunities, and challenges of each region.
This year’s Wawa gathering will feature discussions on the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP), recently launched in the Superior East catchment area. Participants will have an opportunity to learn more about the pilot and discuss how it could contribute to population growth and workforce development in the region.
“Population growth is not a one-size-fits-all conversation. Bringing people together in Wawa gives us an opportunity to hear directly from the communities and organizations working to attract and support newcomers, and to identify solutions that reflect the region’s priorities” says Paula Haapanen, Vice President – Engagement at Northern Policy Institute.
Representatives from other immigration and workforce development initiatives, including Recrute Nord and Talent Beyond Boundaries, as well as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), will also be part of the conversation.
The gathering will include roundtable discussions inviting participants to identify what is working, where improvements are needed and what local solutions could be brought forward to decision makers. The findings will be analysed alongside feedback from other Magnetic North events and will help inform recommendations for action over the following 12 months.
By sharing these recommendations with participants, decision makers and the public, NPI aims to ensure that future actions are informed by the lived experiences of the people and organizations closest to these issues.
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