Northern Ontario's problem is not finding people who want to stay here, it is identifying and developing opportunities that build up the area without leaning on government for assistance.
That sentiment was floating around a Jan. 13 Community Summit in Fort Frances.
The goal was to bring into focus the untapped potential of northwestern communities as they strive to become independent leaders despite financial and political challenges.
Community building by definition is ever evolving, bringing the social, health care and economic needs to the forefront. Fort Frances has done well in expanding the hotel presence and has established key retailers Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire.
But declining population figures and dwindling classrooms bother people like Jim Cumming, publisher of the Fort Frances Times. He worries about what will come of the surrounding communities he publishes his newspaper in.
His concern broadens when he considers the communities' inability to attract fresh supply of new health care, technologists or education professionals to the area.
What can communities do to attract more entrepreneurs, professionals, enhance existing industries or realize new sprouting business ideas, he asks.
Once key people answer those questions, growth will follow.
But it will not come without a change in mindset. Northern Ontario has inherited some of the world's most sought after resources, part of which is, simply, the space.
Our pristine environment is a haven for European, Asian and American vacationers.
In fact, when Canada opened up its border after World War II, many a European family made their mark here and helped to build economies within communities. Perhaps Northern Ontario has to look abroad once again to fill niches within northwestern Ontario, Geoff Gillon economic community officer for Rainy River Future Development Corp. says.
There is significant concentration of Dutch and German farmers in the area but no third generation dairy farmers willing to take over. Land values sit
at approximately $350 per acre. The same amount of space costs $9,000 per acre in southern Ontario.
Warriors
The Northern Ontario economy hinges on whether communities are able to take charge of their future, according to Michael Atkins, president of Northern Ontario Business's parent company, Laurentian Media.
Without government grants, some Northern Ontario communities appears to sit mired in mediocrity, he says.
There has to be a push from within the region to help its own cause, Atkins says.
In order for communities to thrive, business sectors must believe it is their job to renew the community's growth.
"A community needs warriors," he states. "You need true believers (and) you need to trust them. This stuff transcends politics."
He likens a healthy community to a good sports team and urges the municipalities to coach them and give them equipment to let them not only play, but win.
But the stark truth of Northern municipalities is they are without a game plan: disorganized. To become a cohesive progressive thinking body, key people need to be encouraged to, for example, travel to Asia and learn how to find future markets. Each community should keep a database of movers and shakers.
These people along with the lawyers, carpenters, doctors and engineers all want to be included in something bigger than themselves.
"We all do."
Opportunity knocks
If Northern Ontario is going to survive economically it will need to have local ownership. History has proven that consolidation with large firms dilutes municipal resources and opportunities. Make a strategy, he says.
"Baby boomers are aging and selling their companies. More short-term economic bang for the buck can be earned by preserving local ownership."
Each area should have their own agenda, but when it comes time for collaboration with other Northern municipalities, Atkins suggests to leave politics at the door to spare the jealousy and selfishness.
Northern Ontario communities must take political and financial risks and constituents must be kept abreast of that. Those in politics should keep in mind their time is temporary so whatever ideas they have for their community should be implemented in the first term. It is important for Northern Ontario to create trust, enterprise and innovation in developing a working plan for survival.
"At worst you will have an extraordinary journey," he says. "At best you will have the journey plus economic growth."
