Will the Northwest region ever control its own destiny?Northwestern Ontario Northwestern Ontario is the region within the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north and west of Lake Superior, and west of Hudson Bay and James Bay. It includes most of subarctic Ontario. has had a long history of feeling neglected by the decision makers in the provincial government of Queen's Park There are a number of places in the world called Queen's Park or Queens Park. Australia
intr.v. se·ced·ed, se·ced·ing, se·cedes To withdraw formally from membership in an organization, association, or alliance. [Latin s from the Province of Ontario and join Manitoba, or to create some form of regional government. These recent calls have come from a variety of well-respected sources, which makes one wonder if there would be some merit in contemplating such a move. Such calls have occurred in the past, and given the complexity of the political and economic dynamics that would have to take place, they quickly subsided. However, history does not repeat itself in the same way, and with the extreme economic changes occurring in this region in the last few years, it would appear there is now a lot of traction in this new movement. In fact, on Jan. 16th I had the pleasure of attending the launch of a new initiative by regional political leaders called "Enhancing the Economy of Northwestern Ontario" based on a common vision for a regional recovery plan (RRP RRP n abbr (= recommended retail price) → PVP m ) and moving the regional economy forward. Key to this is the creation of a Northwestern Ontario Regional Development Authority (NWORDA) which would play a strategic role in achieving what some consider to be very ambitious goals. The RRP Committee identified a number of key areas where work is urgently needed. In some cases detailed action plans have been developed and will be referred to NOMA noma /no·ma/ (no´mah) gangrenous processes of the mouth or genitalia. In the mouth (cancrum oris, gangrenous stomatitis), (Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association), NOACC (Northwestern Ontario Association of Chambers of Commerce) or other stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. to pursue in the immediate term, while in others the creation of a task force or committee with a specific mandate under NWORDA is recommended. The following are the proposed areas of focus: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new Regional Enhancement Committee to provide region wide leadership for community and labour adjustment. A Task Force on Energy with the role of examining the viability of developing a regional energy authority. [NOMA in conjunction with NOACC will take the initial lead utilizing an expanded NOMA Energy Committee as the vehicle for implementation of the recommendations.] A Regional Health and Education Task Force that will move the Northwest forward into the knowledge economy. A Northwestern Ontario Transportation Task Force which will focus on access needed for a growing economy. A Regional Tourism Council which will develop and foster a Northwestern Ontario tourism strategy which will address key issues. A Northwestern Ontario Research, Investment and Development Corporation which would provide a coordinated entry point into the knowledge economy by marketing the region as a locus for partnerships and immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. . A Northwestern Ontario Policy Research Institute which would serve as an arm's length arm's length adj. the description of an agreement made by two parties freely and independently of each other, and without some special relationship, such as being a relative, having another deal on the side or one party having complete control of the other. source of policy advice to regional leaders and a repository of knowledge and data on the region. In addition to the broad based recommendations outlined above, the RRP Committee also is bringing forward a number of specific recommendations for a wide range of issues that affect the North. Subject areas include a number of initiatives relevant to Economic Development as well as a number of initiatives under the heading of Infrastructure and Resources, Finally, in order to move the recommendations of the RRP Committee forward, NOMA has agreed that the RRP be reconstituted as a Working Group to develop an implementation strategy for the creation of NWORDA- should its creation be broadly supported by key stakeholders across the Northwest. The case for regional government I think that given the economic reality of the day, the regional political leadership felt that Northwestern Ontario could get more done in a shorter period of time by focussing specifically on the task at hand by using regional organizations such as NOMA and NOACC that have credibility with the province and have achieved demonstrable de·mon·stra·ble adj. 1. Capable of being demonstrated or proved: demonstrable truths. 2. Obvious or apparent: demonstrable lies. results in the past. If successful, this option would seem to be the most workable and a step in the right direction given Ontario has already provided the City of Toronto with greater powers. Time will tell if NWORDA is the answer. If anything the local political leadership needs to be congratulated for at least taking the first steps towards more local solutions to local problems. I believe Toronto is not capable of addressing the challenges faced by the North as they have to deal with a completely different reality of too much growth and grid-lock. Their policies are therefore aimed at solving their problems and are actually counterproductive coun·ter·pro·duc·tive adj. Tending to hinder rather than serve one's purpose: "Violation of the court order would be counterproductive" Philip H. Lee. for Northern Ontario Northern Ontario is the part of the province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron (including Georgian Bay), the French River and Lake Nipissing. Northern Ontario has a land area of 802,000 km² (310,000 mi²) and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it . The present energy pricing structure is a case in point where high prices to control demand are devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. our local resource-based economy already battered bat·ter 1 v. bat·tered, bat·ter·ing, bat·ters v.tr. 1. To hit heavily and repeatedly with violent blows. 2. To subject to repeated beatings or physical abuse. 3. by the high Canadian dollar Noun 1. Canadian dollar - the basic unit of money in Canada; "the Canadian dollar has the image of loon on one side of the coin" loonie dollar - the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents . I believe that ultimately the best solution is to create a form of regional government for the Northwest and the North in general, that would help end Ontario's "Northern problem" by transferring decision-making power and responsibility to the people most affected and enable them to make the decisions that are in their best long-term interest. Is Queen's Park listening? Frank Pullia is the Principal of Pullia Consulting. He can be reached at 767-6579 or via e-mail at HYPERLINK "mailto:frank@frank-pullia.com" frank@frankpullia.com Questions or comments are welcome. |
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