North by the Numbers
A visual take on Northern Ontario data
Sudbury's municipal expenditures pre-amalgamation
|
|
As Figure 1 shows, in the years prior to amalgamation, municipal expenditures in Greater Sudbury fluctuated between $4,300 and $5,000 per household. Then, from 1997 to 1998, expenditures spiked by 32 percent, followed by another 18 percent increase from 1999 to 2000, bringing expenditures to about $6,600 per household."
-- James Cuddy, author of Value for Money? The Effect of Sudbury's 2001 Amalgamation on Municipal Expenditures
|
|
New In July
Your monthly update on the work of Northern Policy Institute
|
|
Northern Ontario Infrastructure Map: Northern Policy Infrastructure Map, designed by Julien Bonin, is an interactive tool that displays various infrastructure assets within Northern Ontario. Available for everyone to use and explore, the new tool contains two dozen layers of displayable content, ranging from rail and road transportation to population figures. Explore the map here.
Value for Money? The Effect of Sudbury's 2001 Amalgamation on Municipal Expenditures: A new commentary by Northern Policy Institute Economist James Cuddy leaves more questions than answers on the overall effect of Sudbury's 2001 amalgamation. While findings of the report reveal the consolidation triggered a spike in some service expenditures, and lowered spending in other places, Cuddy found he was only able to tell half the story. A lack of data and transparency on the quality of services being provided prevented a closer look at the increase in overall efficiency.
Read the full commentary here
|
|
News in the North
The latest headlines from communities across Northern Ontario
|
|
Ontario and First Nations Announce Agreement-in-Principle for Sale of Hydro One Shares: On July 12, the Province and First Nations in Ontario announced an agreement-in-principle for the Province to sell to First Nations, up to approximately 15 million shares of Hyrdo One (2.5 shares of the total current outstanding common shares) depending on the level of First Nation participation. Read the full story.
First Nations chiefs sign agreement with RCMP to address racism within force: The agreement addresses racism and discrimination within the force as the Assembly of First Nations and the RCMP look to improve relations ahead of the federal governement's much-anticipated inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women. Read the full story.
New Child Benefit Puts Real Money in Family Pockets: Patty Hajdu, MP for Thunder Bay-Superior North announced that families eligible for the Canada Child Benefit could receive their benefits as early as July. The announcement was made at the Nanbijou Child Care Centre in Thunder Bay.
Read the full story.
|
|
Success Stories
Individuals and organizations helping to grow the North
Ye Old Chip Truck - Kenora, ON
A fresh batch of Ye Olde's world famous fries. (left).
Liam Merry, one of Ye Olde's full-time employees who uses this job to help pay his post-secondary schooling, serves up a batch of fries to the author (right).
For nearly 60 years, the Ye Olde Chip Truck has been a well-known institution in the City of Kenora. The clientele is diverse, and includes the likes of local hockey hero Mike Richards to former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Each summer, thousands brave the lines for a batch of their world famous fries. While Ye Olde has had a number of different owners over the course of its 59 years, its recipe and popularity have stood the test of time.
Last July, Ye Olde changed hands again, this time with Ryan Landon and Daniel Thomson assuming ownership. Since taking over the chip truck, they've had a ye olde time and have already made a big impact in the community. Thomson and Landon, longtime friends who both grew up in Kenora, had both been employees of the truck. During those sweltering summers, the two gained a deep knowledge of Ye Olde's inner workings, while their own ambitions of owning the chip truck grew.
When they both took over, they were only 20 years old at the time, but the duo have already significantly expanded the business. They now have four locations open seven days a week all summer, while also catering many special events throughout the year.
Read the full blog by NPI Kenora policy intern Jarrod Sundmark here.
|
|
Northern Community Spotlight
This month's featured profiles of Northern Ontario communities
|
|
Cochrane
Featured Municipality
|
|
Census District: Cochrane
Population: 5,340
Population Density: 9.9/km²
Number of Private Dwellings: 2,407
Median Age: 43.3
Employment Rate: 50.2%
Participation Rate: 58.4%
Major Employment Industries:
- Public Administration - 13%
- Transportation and warehousing - 12%
- Manufacturing - 11%
- Healthcare and social assistance - 9%
Named one of the top 50 small towns in Canada, Cochrane is located about a one hour drive from Timmins. It is the seat of the Cochrane District, with a population made up of approximately half Anglophone and half francophone residents. Cochrane's mascot is a polar bear statue known as Chimo. Live polar bears can also be found at the Polar Bear Habitat and Heritage Village. The town celebrates Summerfest from Aug. 5-7 which features a weekend of family fun including games, activities, live music, and competitions.
Commando Lake
|
|
Pic Mobert South
Featured First Nation
|
|
Census District: Thunder Bay
Population: 96
Population Density: 282.4/km²
Number of Private Dwellings: 64
Median Age: 45.2
Employment Rate: 35.7%
Participation Rate: 50%
Major Employment Industries:
- Public administration - 57%
- Educational services - 29%
Pic Mobert South First Nation Reserve rests on the Eastern Shore of White Lake in Northern Ontario, approximately 75 kilometres east of the town of Marathon, Ontario. The traditional lands of the Netamisakomik people stretch from Pigeon River to Batchawana Bay.
*Based on 2011 Census and NHS data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jobs North
Employment and training opportunities in Northern Ontario
In the fourth quarter of 2015 there were 4,350 vacant positions in Northeastern Ontario, down by 2,320 vacancies from the quarter prior. Of these vacancies, 43% were in in sales and service occupations, followed by trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (10%), health occupation (7%), business, finance and administration occupations (6%) and natural and applied sciences and related occupations (4%).
|
|
Monthly Polls
Your opinion can help direct Northern Policy Institute's research
|
|
Last Month's Poll Results
How does summertime road construction in Northern Ontario affect your travel?
|
|
This Month's Poll
Will your family be better or worse off now that the government has introduced the new Canada Child Benefit?
|
|
Sneak Peek
Get an exclusive preview of our upcoming projects and publications
Community Profile: Hearst, ON
An excerpt from the upcoming Community Profiles series
[…] The labour force entry-exit ratio shows the number of workers ready to enter the workforce and replace the ones who will retire in the coming years. In Hearst, the ratio of 0.67 indicates there aren't enough workers entering the labour market to ensure that the retiring ones will be replaced. Therefore, in the future, there may be a shortage of workers if the situation remains the same, and if immigrants are not brought in to make up for the discrepancy. […]
|
|
Get Involved
Our work depends on YOUR input. Find out how you can get involved.
|
|
|
|
|
