By Paul Bootsma
October 14, 2016
Over the years that I have traveled in northern Ontario, I have met residents who see great opportunity in their area. Frequently obstacles deter their success. Sometimes the problem is regulations, other times opportunities are missed due to distance or transportation problems. Local residents are then left with a feeling of frustration. Now there may be more opportunities for these residents to see their hopes for growth realized.
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Earlier this year OMAFRA hosted discussion sessions on development in northern Ontario, and engaged with a number of organizations and key people within the agriculture industry, including the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO). Recently OMAFRA released a discussion paper which spells out some key initiatives to promote development in northern Ontario. The plan includes discussion of the Agriculture, Aquaculture and Food Processing sectors.
For this development to become reality, the provincial government needs to invest and commit to a number of things which will prepare for growth in northern Ontario. There are four areas where the government will need to be the main investor and initiator, including transportation, key infrastructure, support for communities and research.
Transportation is critical for this part of the province. There need to be easy and direct routes allowing businesses and industry to move farm and industry inputs to the north and for transporting finished product or produce to markets in southern Ontario. Updated infrastructure such as public transportation, communication, municipal water and electrical systems will demonstrate government commitment to the region. Government also needs to commit to ongoing support for key amenities and community organizations that will attract and encourage residents to migrate to the area. Good schools and recreational facilities will help younger families with children feel at home. For Ontario’s north to grow, there needs to be some security and confidence that people will be able to live there with comparable amenities to southern Ontario, and that there is a future for those willing to invest in northern Ontario.
Moreover, the government must make a long-term commitment to on-going agricultural research in this region. Agricultural research will need to focus on which varieties do best in the locale and also which types of soil tillage and conservation methods bring the best results for the area.
Although these points are mentioned in the discussion paper, it is important to emphasize the need for the government’s involvement in all of these areas. Government should limit the amount it invests into businesses themselves, because relying too heavily on financial support is not best for long-term industry sustainability. Once the market is established, businesses will expand on their own. The government does need to assist in making the area ready for businesses to be successful and create the climate to have long-term industries including agriculture and food processing providing jobs for people residing in northern Ontario.
