[Plan Nord] Quebec plan may be blueprint for Northwest – Special to The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal (January 16, 2012)

The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal is the daily newspaper of Northwestern Ontario.

Northwestern Ontario is hoping to gain some perspective and insight from Quebec when it comes to economic development in Northern regions.

Members of National Public Relations are to be in Thunder Bay on Wednesday to provide information on Plan Nord, one of the largest economic, environmental and social projects in Canada.

Plan Nord, designed for Northern Quebec, will be carried out for the next 25 years. It is estimated that it will generate more than $80 billion in investments and create more than 20,000 jobs a year.

Members of the Northwestern Ontario Joint Task Force are eager to learn more about Plan Nord, and see how it might impact Northwestern Ontario and if similar strategies can be applied in the region.

“Given the $80-billion program, is it going to be more attractive for investment than Northwestern Ontario,” task force chairman Iain Angus, said Sunday.

“We want to learn from it, we want to learn about it, understand its implications, but also see what we can take from it that maybe makes sense for the Northwest,” said Angus.

He said one of the elements of Plan Nord he is particularly interested in is the evolution of decision-making in Northern Quebec.

“Eventually we want to have maximum influence over decisions that affect us and ideally we want to make those decisions,” Angus said.

“Currently, it is the Province of Ontario’s role and responsibility. We’re looking at ways in which over time we can see some of that decision-making pass down to us, and if Quebec already has a model working, why reinvent the wheel.

“Let’s use it, modify it to meet the realities of the Northwest, and take advantage of it,” he said.
Northwestern Ontario has been seeking autonomy and decision-making authority for years, and it may be within reach, added Angus.

“Now we have an opportunity to help shape that decision-making,” he said. “We are in fact in the driver’s seat to say this is what we want to do for Northwestern Ontario.”

The joint task force was created two years ago and is part of the regional economic development planning zones pilot project. It is mandated to help develop and implement a plan for regional economic planning in Northwestern Ontario.

A final draft report has been released that outlines some of the findings of the JTF so far.
Angus said members have been travelling throughout the region to ensure all communities are heard.
“The message from the region is loud and clear: They want to be comfortable that their voice is represented,” he said.

“Each community has their own issues, their own concerns and their own priorities. The message was to make sure we create a board that was truly representative of the region,” said Angus.

The presentation on Plan Nord is set for noon to 3:30 p.m. at the Slovak Legion. Admission is $20 plus HST.

To register for Wednesday’s presentation, and for more information on the task force and to see the final draft report, visit www.nwoeconomiczone.ca.