Ottawa has announced more than $1.3 million to support workforce expansion and population retention efforts across Northern Ontario.
Most of the FedNor money, nearly $960,000 will enable the Northern Policy Institute (NPI) to help communities attract and retain newcomers by improving access to data, strengthening local immigration initiatives, and promoting regional collaboration.
NPI will also develop a mobile app to support newcomers integrate into their new communities, and host in-person conferences to share best practices on population attraction and retention across communities.
“The Northern Policy Institute is proud to encourage evidence-based decisions that grow Northern Ontario,” says Charles Cirtwill, NPI President & CEO. “Thanks to FedNor’s support, we are able to continue supporting the communities of the region with strong data and strategic tools.”
The remaining $345,000 will allow NPI to identify and analyze leading practices in newcomer retention.
It will be done through direct interviews and surveying participants of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program, employers, service providers, and community members.
Officials say the initiatives will help Northern Ontario communities more accurately measure the impact of population-focused programs, refine their approaches, and strengthen their capacity to attract and retain new talent.
