COMING BACK FROM COVID: A PLAN TO REBUILD NORTHEASTERN ONTARIO - northerncollege.ca - Northern College
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A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
COMING
BACK FROM
COVID:
A PLAN TO REBUILD
NORTHEASTERN
ONTARIO
northerncollege.ca
1
Coming Back from COVID-19
Authors:
Mitchell Davidson Executive Director, StrategyCorp
Institute of Public Policy and Economy
Stacy Hushion Manager, StrategyCorp
Contributors:
Ashmeet Siali Associate, StrategyCorp
Ian Smith Vice President, StrategyCorp
The StrategyCorp Institute of Public Policy and
Economy provides thought leadership on important
public policy issues facing Canadians and their
governments across the country by combining
policy expertise with key political insights.
Northern College commissioned the StrategyCorp
Institute of Public Policy and Economy to evaluate
opportunities for Northern College to assist
Northern Ontario’s recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic. For questions specifically regarding this
document, please contact Northern College at
communications@northern.on.ca. For questions
about StrategyCorp’s services, please contact
the authors listed above.
@2021 StrategyCorp Inc., All Rights Reserved
Published in Timmins ON, October 2021
2
A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
CONTENTS
4 . Introduction
6 . The 2008/2009 Recession
8 . COVID-19 and Northern Ontario
10 . An Evolving Mining Sector and the Skills Gap
14 . Why Northern College?
18 . Bringing Innovation to Kirkland Lake
21 . Realizing the Kirkland Lake Innovation Hub
22 . Conclusion
3
Coming Back from COVID-19
INTRODUCTION
The COVID-19 pandemic has been more than just a health
crisis. As the virus has continued to interfere in the day to day
lives of Ontarians, it has interfered in their economy as well. The
prolonged nature of the pandemic, and thus prolonged economic
consequences, has been unique. Finally, as vaccination rates
increase and health measures can be carefully repealed, we are
faced with the question of how to economically recover from the
pandemic. This question cannot be answered at a macro level. It
must be asked of each individual region in Ontario to consider their
unique experiences during the pandemic and, more importantly,
their unique opportunities coming out of the pandemic.
When that question is asked about Northern Ontario, policymakers
and politicians must consider the particular economic situation
of the North. Not only does the North have a unique economic
profile, with lower levels of manufacturing or professional services
employment1 and more natural resource employment, but it also
faces unique aftereffects from the 2008-09 recession. Since the
recession, the North has struggled to grow, be it in jobs or population.
This stunted growth is not a result of a lack of opportunity, or even
a lack of open jobs, but rather a consistent stream of young and
working-age people heading to Southern Ontario.
To ensure Northern Ontario, and specifically Northeastern Ontario,
can recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, governments must act.
They must allow these areas that are struggling with population
growth to seize the opportunity to embrace new work-from-home
residents and to capitalize on resource rich areas that, once unlocked,
will attract population, investment, and jobs. To encourage a private
sector investment and reverse recent negative trends, the provincial
government must do more than monitor the situation closely. It must
invest in the Northeastern Ontario region, and it can do so through
the largest educational institution in the area, Northern College.
By using Northern College as a hub to attract industry, promote
resource development, and entice students and future employees,
Northeastern Ontario can tackle the challenge of economic recovery
from the COVID-19 pandemic head on. Through this paper, we will
explore the unique challenges faced by Northeastern Ontario both
resulting from the current COVID-19 pandemic, leftover from the
2008/09 recession, and due to shifting trends in local industries and
workforce development. Next, we will outline a once in a generation
opportunity at Northern College – the Kirkland Lake Innovation Hub
and Centre of Excellence (KL iHub) – that will lead to job creation in
the region, help reverse negative population trends, and ultimately
kickstart the economic recovery in Northeastern Ontario.
4
A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
5
Coming Back from COVID-19
The 2008/2009 Recession
Every region of Ontario was impacted seven are in Northern Ontario, including
by the 2008/09 recession, but not both Cochrane and Timiskaming in the
every region recovered at an even rate. Northeast.2 Unfortunately, population loss
Northern Ontario, depending on the is nothing new in Northeastern Ontario.
metric, has never truly recovered from In 1986, Northeastern Ontario accounted
the demographic and economic impacts of for more than 6.2% of the province’s total
the recession even while other regions of population. By 2016, that number had
the province increased their employment dropped to just over 4%.3
rates or grew their population.
While the 2008/09 recession cannot be
Of the eleven census divisions that blamed for all of the North’s population
lost 2% or more of their working age loss, it did accelerate the pre-existing out-
population between 2011 and 2016, migration trends of the region. Jobs lost
during the recession never returned, and
consequently people, especially working
Net Population Change age individuals, left the region. During a
Between 2011-2016 30-year period, total employment in the
Timiskaming District declined from nearly
POPULATION 16,500 positions in 1986 to just over
CENSUS DIVISION REDUCTION
14,000 positions in 2016.4 Even more
Huron -8.5% dire, future population projections for the
District from Ontario’s Ministry of Finance
Prince Edwatd -8.1%
project that over the next 20 years, the
Sudbury -7.3% area will continue to lose people in almost
every age category, except those aged
Rainy River -5.3% 65 and over. Ultimately, Timiskaming
District’s population is expected to
Algoma -4%
decline from roughly 32,500 to 28,900
Cochrane -3.5% people over this time-period, while the
percentage of elderly people increases
Timiskaming -3.3% from 22.6% to 31.6%.5
Lambton -3.3%
The problem is not unique to Timiskaming.
Chatham-Kent -2.8% Across the North, areas like Sault Ste.
Marie, North Bay, Timmins, Thunder Bay,
Parry Sound -2% Greater Sudbury, and areas too small
Manitoulin -2% to be counted as Census Metropolitan
Areas, all experienced negative job
1
Lafleur, S. (2017). Uneven Recovery: Much of Ontario still hasn’t fully recovered from the 2008 recession.
Retrieved from https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/uneven-recovery-much-of-ontario-still-hasnt-
fully-recovered-from-the-2008-recession.pdf, p24.
2
Davidson, Mitchell (2021). Small Towns, Big Opportunities: Unlocking Growth in Ontario’s Rural and Northern
Communities. Retrieved from https://www.orea.com/~/media/Files/Downloads/OREA_WhitePaper_Small-
Towns-Big-Opportunities, 11.
3
Moazzami, B. (2019). Northern Projections: Timiskaming District. Retrieved from https://www.northernpolicy.
ca/upload/documents/publications/reports-new/timiskaming-19.12.17.pdf
4
Ibid.
5
Ibid.
6
A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
growth from 2008 to 2016, meaning they whole returned to pre-recession levels of
had fewer jobs in 2016 than they did employment by 2011, whereas Northern
before the recession occurred. Ontario had not returned to pre-recession
employment levels by 2014.8 In fact, that
This is in stark contrast to Southern trend would continue, with the Ontario
Ontario’s economic recovery. While Chamber of Commerce recently reporting
single Northern Census Metropolitan Northern Ontario to have been the only
Area sat below the provincial average major region to experience a net loss
in employment rate during this period, in both population and jobs in Ontario
regions in the South flourished.6 Between between 2003 and 2018.9 It is critical
2008 and 2019, the greater Toronto and to note that these negative trends were
Ottawa regions together created 87% of continuing in a majority of Northern
all net new jobs in Ontario, representing Ontario communities when the 2020
a near monopoly on new job growth.7 pandemic occurred. Essentially, Northern
Ontario was already at a disadvantage
As seen in the attached chart, both
before COVID-19 hit. When policy makers
Northern Ontario and the province of
approach questions about Ontario’s
Ontario more broadly suffered significant
economic recovery and how to distribute
employment losses during the 2008/09
resources, they must recognize that
recession. However, the province as a
Southern Ontario already had a head start.
Total Employment, Ontario and Northern Ontario, 2001-2014
NORTHERN
ONTARIO ONTARIO
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
7,000,000 380,000
6,800,000 370,000
6,600,000 360,000
6,400,000 350,000
6,200,000 340,000
6,000,000 330,000
5,800,000 320,000
’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14
Data source: Statistics Canada
6
Ibid., 26.
7
Speer et al. (2019). To fight regional economic disparity, Ontario needs Opportunity Zones. Retrieved
from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-to-fight-regional-economic-disparity-ontario-needs-
opportunity-zones/
8
Thompson, J. (2015). Northern Ontario employment hasn’t recovered from recession. Retrieved from https://
www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/northern-ontario-employment-hasnt-recovered-from-recession-402721
9
Ontario Chamber of Commerce. (2019). The Great Mosaic: Reviving Ontario’s Regional Economies. Retrieved
from http://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/The-Great-Mosaic-Reviving-Ontarios-Regional-Economies.pdf
7
Coming Back from COVID-19
COVID-19 AND
NORTHERN ONTARIO
A significant amount of the 2008/09 job in accommodation, food services, and
losses can be attributed to the hollowing retail were hardest hit, while industries in
out of the manufacturing industry in the resource sector emerged unscathed,
Northern Ontario.10 These jobs proved with no job losses or net new job creation
energy and labour intensive and were between February and May 2020.13
not geographically tied to the region. Despite the resilience of the resource
Once mandates were lost or plants were sector, the North saw its unemployment
shut down, cheaper jurisdictions could rate rise from 5.1% in January 2020
be pursued for expansion or reopening, to 9.3% by May. The participation rate
leaving Northern Ontario out of the dropped by 5.6% and some 18,900
equation. However, Northern Ontario people found themselves out of work.14
does have one specific geographic
advantage: its proximity to natural Though certainly worrisome, this story
resources. About seven percent of was not necessarily different from what
all employment in the North falls into the rest of Ontario was experiencing. The
resource economy categories such as divergence would appear in the recovery
forestry, fishing, mining, quarrying, and from the pandemic. According to the
oil and gas, which are both geographic Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s 2021
dependent and not necessarily Ontario Economic Report, employment
dependent on broader economic trends.11 growth in every region of Southern
This resource dependent aspect of the Ontario was at least double the growth in
local economy proved to be pivotal when Northeastern Ontario during the pandemic
COVID-19 made its way to the province, recovery period.15 Making matters worse,
ultimately helping ensure the pandemic Northeastern Ontario’s expected 0.1%
did not decimate the local economy further. population growth was the lowest out of
all regions, including non-GTA regions
Across Ontario, the economy was hit like London that was set to experience
hard, especially at the immediate onset of 1.2% growth, Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie
the pandemic. Real GDP growth for 2020 which is on pace for 1.6% growth, or even
came in at -5.6%, meaning the economy the Muskoka/Kawarthas area which is
shrunk substantially.12 In Northern projected to grow by nearly 1.0% in 2021.16
Ontario, the results were similar. Jobs
10
Thompson, J. (2015). Northern Ontario employment hasn’t recovered from recession. Retrieved from https://
www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/northern-ontario-employment-hasnt-recovered-from-recession-402721
11
Lafleur, S. (2017). Uneven Recovery: Much of Ontario still hasn’t fully recovered from the 2008 recession.
Retrieved from https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/uneven-recovery-much-of-ontario-still-hasnt-
fully-recovered-from-the-2008-recession.pdf, 24.
12
Timmins Today. (2021). Report shows impact of COVID-19 on small businesses. Retrieved from https://
www.timminstoday.com/coronavirus-covid-19-local-news/report-shows-impact-of-covid-19-on-small-
businesses-3304476
13
Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (2020). Ontario’s Regional Labour Markets During the COVID-19
Pandemic. Retrieved from: https://www.fao-on.org/en/Blog/Publications/labour-market-06-2020#Region-NOn
14
Ibid.
15
Ontario Chamber of Commerce. (2021). Ontario Economic Report. Retrieved from https://occ.ca/wp-content/
uploads/2021-Ontario-Economic-Report.pdf, 30.
16
Ibid.
8
A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
Though the job loss figures are similar
in the Northeast, the positive signs
of economic recovery – including the
return of employment and a growth in
population – are not immediate trends
the Northeast will experience by default.
In fact, when comparing the first quarter
of 2020 to 2021, a full year into the
pandemic, Northern Ontario has seen a
3.4% decline in total employment.17 By
comparison, Eastern and Southwestern
Ontario were experiencing a net increase
in employment during this time.18
Even with a relaxation of public health
measures as vaccination rates increase,
the damage done in Northern Ontario
appears to be much more permanent than
in the rest of Ontario.
17
Government of Ontario. (2021). Ontario Employment Reports: January to March 2021. Retrieved from
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-employment-reports/january-march-2021#:~:text=Participation%20
rates%20by%20Ontario%20region&text=The%20overall%20participation%20rate%20for,to%2065.0%25%20
in%20the%20GTA%20
18
Ibid.
9
Coming Back from COVID-19
An Evolving Mining Sector
and the Skills Gap
Understanding the economic context of new exploration activity in the region,
of Northern Ontario as it stands today along with rising gold prices, signal that
also requires close investigation of how economic development and growth is on
the natural resource economy – and the horizon.20 Hiring projections estimate
specifically mining – is transforming. The that 51,600 to 65,800 workers will be
overall economic outlook for Canada’s needed in mines across Ontario, with
mining industry continues to improve 13,350 required in Timiskaming and
slowly but surely after an extended Cochrane alone.21
slowdown between 2012 to 2016. In
Ontario, employment in the minerals The labour need is even more acute
sector continues to grow year over year, given the recent discovery of new
with 16,230 Ontarians currently working elements in the Northeastern region,
in mines as of July 2021.19 which have contributed to the mining
resurgence. Critical minerals are
The Cochrane and Timiskaming Districts increasingly in demand worldwide,
are home to two of Ontario’s oldest in large part because of the rapid
mining towns, Timmins and Kirkland advancement of “clean tech” spurred
Lake, with the latter infamously known as by the global effort to address climate
a gold mining town. A recent resurgence change. The projected growth in the sales
19
Mining Industry Human Resources Council. (July 2021). Labour Market Dashboard. Retrieved from https://
mihr.ca/labour-market-information/interactive-labour-market-dashboard/
20
Far Northeast Training Board. (2013). Cochrane and Timiskaming Mining Hiring Requirements Forecasts.
Retrieved from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RIS-timiskaming_008_print.pdf, 8.
21
Ibid., 10, 24.
10A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
of electric vehicles (EVs) – projected mechanics, geologists and geologists in
to make up 50% of all vehicles sold by training – in the years ahead.25
2040 – is often held up as the prime
example as to why critical minerals are But the good news story of economic and
in such high demand, chiefly because employment growth in the mining sector
EV batteries require stable sources is accompanied with a major challenge:
of graphite, lithium, nickel, cobalt and finding people to fill the jobs. The situation
other critical minerals.22 Critical minerals is all the more challenging as the baby
present a real opportunity for Ontario boomer generation teeters on the edge of
to become “the supplier of choice” retirement.26
domestically and internationally as
demand continues to explode. Approximately one-half of
all mining workers in Ontario
In Kirkland Lake, the two leading are over the age of 45, with
mining employers anticipate significant one-third between the ages
long-term labour force needs as they of 55 and 65.27
expand operations. Following the
discovery of nickel-cobalt sulphide at A 2017 FNETB mining sector
its Crawford mine, Canada Nickel is employment and hiring forecast report
planning to develop nickel reserves in anticipates a 14% expansion in workforce
the Cochrane region, which will supply requirements along with a 30% workforce
needed materials for EV production. As retirement forecast in Northeastern
part of its 50-year commitment to the Ontario by 2027, resulting in an overall
region, Canada Nickel estimates that it 44% shortfall in available workers.28 In
will require up to 600 new employees Kirkland Lake alone, 1,932 mining jobs
at the height of construction, up to 600 are going to need to be filled due to
employees to ramp up production and retirements, and another 887 jobs will
between 1,200 and 1,400 employees open up due to expansion over the next
when the mine is at peak production.23 10 to 15 years.29 To be sure, this is not
Nearly 80% of these jobs will be in a new or unique problem to the mining
operations, such as supervisors and industry. Employers across the board are
coordinators, maintenance professionals, facing worrying gaps in their workforce
engineers, geologists, mechanics, as the share of retirements is not being
electricians, equipment operators, drill offset by young people entering the labour
and blast and surveyors.24 market. In Ontario and elsewhere, the
underpopulation of qualified working age
Kirkland Lake Gold also has a critical need
individuals is reaching chronic levels.
for skilled workers – licensed electricians,
22
Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. (2021). Presentation to the
Battery Supply Chain Roundtable: Critical Minerals Framework and the Battery Supply Chain, 3.
23
Canada Nickle Preliminary Job Estimates.
24
Ibid.
25
Kelly, Lindsay. (2021). Attracting workers to mining remains a challenge, say recruiters. Retrieved
from https://www.sudbury.com/local-news/attracting-workers-to-mining-remains-a-challenge-say-
recruiters-3862726
26
Mining Industry Human Resources Council. (2019). Canada Mining Labour Market 10-Year Outlook 2020.
Retrieved from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MIHR_National_Report_web2.pdf, 4.
27
Mining Industry Human Resources Council. (2009). Ontario Labour Market Demand Projections. Retrieved
from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ontario_labour_market_report_MiHR.pdf, 22.
28
Far Northeast Training Board. Mining Sector Employment and Hiring Forecast 2017-2027. Retrieved from
https://fnetb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/FNETB-Mining-Forescast-April-5.pdf, 2.
29
Far Northeast Training Board. (2020). Making Sense of Labour Market Information: Part 2 – Kirkland Lake
Labour Market Demand. Retrieved from https://fnetb.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Part-2-K.-Lake-
Labour-Market-Demand.pdf
11Coming Back from COVID-19
Three factors make the mining labour part because these groups tend to live in
market inherently tight, the first being larger metropolitan areas, far away from
geography. Of Ontario’s 43 mines, 90% the mines of Timmins and Kirkland Lake.
are located in Northern Ontario, and Women and Indigenous populations have
employers struggle to find new workers also not been fully realized as a critical
from outside the region willing to relocate labour resource in the mining sector,
or spend long stretches of time up North. though the sector is making headway.
While employers in Timiskaming and
elsewhere in Northern Ontario have The third recruitment hurdle is potentially
resorted to using commuter workforces, the most significant and worrisome: the
this is not a long-term or sustainable skills gap. A Mining Industry Human
solution. Nor does it support regional Resources Council survey of Canadian
economic growth as these transient mining industry employers found that
workers are not putting their wages the biggest obstacle facing employers
back into the local economy in the in meeting their workforce requirements
same way they would be if they settled over the next five years was finding
permanently in the area. Related to the skilled workers, along with upgrading
geographical challenge is the struggle the skills of supervisors and managers.31
to tap into new and expanding labour The production and extraction phases of
pools. Certain demographic groups mining are particularly labour-intensive
are grossly underrepresented in the and with new mines expected in
mining industry, including youth, visible Timiskaming and Cochrane, positions will
minorities, and immigrants.30 This is in be difficult to fill. Skilled workers are even
30
Mining Industry Human Resources Council. (2009). Ontario Labour Market Demand Projections. Retrieved
from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ontario_labour_market_report_MiHR.pdf, 8; Mining Industry
Human Resources Council. (2019). Canada Mining Labour Market 10-Year Outlook 2020. Retrieved from
https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MIHR_National_Report_web2.pdf, 5.
31
Mining Industry Human Resources Council. (2019). Canada Mining Labour Market 10-Year Outlook 2020.
Retrieved from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MIHR_National_Report_web2.pdf, 5.
12A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
more in demand, including tradespeople, people in the region and attract new
heavy equipment operators, and truck people to make Northeastern Ontario
drivers – the catch is that while these their permanent home by providing
are among the specific positions highest the skills training needed to build a
in demand, they are also the ones sustainable and meaningful career.
with transferrable skills, meaning stiff
competition with other industries.32 Research shows that lower-and middle-
income families prefer education options
Even beyond the mining industry, the skill that are closer to home. When local
levels of the workforce in Northeastern post-secondary options do not exist, they
Ontario were already below other are more likely to choose not to attend
regions and below the estimated current a post-secondary institution whatsoever
requirement of 70.2% of all jobs requiring than to relocate in pursuit of higher
a specialized skill. education.35 That means students need
to be within an acceptable commuting
By 2031, the number of jobs distance to a campus, which noted
that require specialized researcher in the field Marc Frenette
has proven to be approximately an 80
training and specific skills
kilometre radius from home to school.36
is expected to rise to
Therefore, it is unsurprising that the youth
approximately 80%.33 being lost to Southern Ontario happen to
be pursuing post-secondary educations,
Statistically speaking, those without partly because they can afford to but
post-secondary credentials will be also because the local options are not
more likely to be unemployed and more as widely available. If there is no access
likely to avoid participating in the labour to a local post-secondary option, the
market.34 The underpopulation of working wealthy and most educated can and will
age people coupled will the skills gap pursue those options elsewhere. Those
presents a worrisome outlook. The jobs who do not have the financial flexibility
that are available will be without people that affords will choose no education at
and the people that are in the region, all.37 For this reason, local career-focused
both elderly and unskilled, will be without institutions like Northern College are
jobs. Both are unsustainable as people critical to addressing these concerning
will look elsewhere to gain skills or work labour trends by ensuring there is a clear
and companies will move elsewhere to “talent pipeline” to seamlessly transition
gain workers. The only way to truly new graduates into the local workforce
enable the economic recovery in and keep them in the North. This is
Northeastern Ontario is to fill the especially true when one considers that
skills or population gap. Ideally both ‘nearby’ institutions in Sudbury, North
can be done at the same time and Bay, and Thunder Bay are anywhere
utilizing the college system is the key. from 240 km to 880 km away from either
Colleges can help keep working aged Timmins or Kirkland Lake.
32
Far Northeast Training Board. (2013). Cochrane and Timiskaming Mining Hiring Requirements Forecasts.
Retrieved from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RIS-timiskaming_008_print.pdf, 32.
33
https://www.northernpolicy.ca/upload/documents/publications/reports-new/timiskaming-19.12.17.pdf p27.
34
Ibid., 28.
35
Statistics Canada, “Distance as a postsecondary access issue,” December 1, 2018
36
Frenette, M. (2004). Access to College and University: Does Distance Matter? Retrieved from https://
www.researchgate.net/publication/23546088_Access_to_College_and_University_Does_Distance_
Matter,427-443.
37
https://www.orea.com/~/media/Files/Downloads/OREA_WhitePaper_Small-Towns-Big-Opportunities, p10.
13Coming Back from COVID-19
Why Northern College?
Northern College is a leader in modern, • Leading collaborative and experiential
employment-centric education and learning opportunities that bring
applied research, serving over 65 together students and local and
communities in the Cochrane and regional industry leaders to create
Timiskaming districts in Northeastern talent pipelines connecting employers
Ontario across four campuses: Timmins, with prospective employees;
Kirkland Lake, Moosonee and, lastly,
Haileybury, home of the esteemed • Celebrated by the CQAAP for its best
Haileybury School of Mines, founded practices in programming quality
in 1912. At present, Northern offers 75 assurance; and
full-time, part-time, certificate, diploma,
advanced diploma, graduate certificate,
• Close partnerships with industry
and community partners, including
and apprenticeship programs with an
established relationships with major
annual enrolment of over 3,000 students.
mining employers Canada Nickel and
Northern’s signature programs –
Kirkland Lake Gold as well as smaller
electrical engineering technician, mining
businesses such as Story Environmental
engineering technician, practical nursing,
and Blue Heron Environmental.
veterinary technician, and welding
engineering technology programs –
attract learners locally, province-wide,
and internationally and support a range
of industries in the catchment region.
Northern College has provided training
in mining development for over 50 years
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS through the Haileybury School of Mines. We
INCLUDE:
are proud of our contribution to this vibrant
• Pioneering the mining engineering sector of the economy and are pleased to
technician distance learning program, see potential for expansion in environmental
the gold standard for mine training
reclamation and water management. The
that is now being used in other
provinces; Haileybury School of Mines is internationally
recognized and with the growth in mining
• Offering the only program in Ontario
exploration in the region, it is a natural fit
to train licensed drinking water and
wastewater systems operators in line to broaden the scope into environmental
with the rigorous provincial standards; issues related to mining. This expansion
• Innovative approaches to program supports the entire region that Northern
delivery models to meet evolving College serves in Northeastern Ontario.
expectations for access to training
and education and maximize flexibility Mayor Carman Kidd, City of Timiskaming Shores
and accessibility for students;
14A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
Building on these strengths, Northern is supported by the College and its
College has a track record of producing students.41 The Kirkland Lake Campus
work-ready and skilled graduates (KL Campus), in particular, has been
who are finding success after leaving a significant economic driver for the
the classroom, shops and labs. Key Town and surrounding area. A recent
performance data from 2019 shows study found that this one campus alone
that more than 86% of graduates contributed $17.8 billion to the regional
obtained employment within six months economy and supported 235 jobs in the
of graduation, which is higher than the area.42 The impact of KL Campus alumni
provincial average.38 Northern’s student is even more impressive: former students
outcomes continue to move in the right employed in the regional workforce add
direction, a clear demonstration of the $12.3 million to the regional economy each
College’s commitment to excellence and year. The return on investment for the KL
pushing the envelope in programming, Campus is clear: for every $1 of public
facilities and the student experience. money spent, the College and its students
generate $7.70 of economic impact.43
Northern is also key economic driver in
the region. It is an important employer in Northern College is committed to
the Cochrane and Timiskaming districts, driving economic growth in the North by
employing 508 staff and faculty, 93% of training the skilled workforce needed to
whom live locally. However, its greatest sustain and lead it. Significant work is
impact is in the training and education it underway to ensure new and expanded
provides for students to be able to land program offerings reflective of industry
jobs in the local economy. 72% of students requirements, employment trends, and
stay on to work in the region after finishing workforce modernization along with the
in their studies and now call it their evolving needs of its potential students.
permanent home.39 The enhanced skills In recent years, this effort has resulted in
and abilities of Northern graduates bolster identification of future in-demand career
the output of local employers, leading areas, the development of eight new
to higher regional income and a more programs, dozens of micro-credential
robust economy. Regional employers are programs, the expansion of trades
clearly happy: in 2019, the college had an programming, and the development of
employer satisfaction rate of 100%.40 enhanced computer science options.
Northern’s alumni also directly contribute Recently the College launched its
to regional economic prosperity, January Jump Start continuous enrolment
generating nearly $86 million in added program, which gives students the
income in Cochrane and Timiskaming. opportunity to begin their program of study
By way of comparison, the College’s when it works best for them versus the
contribution is nearly as large as the traditional model of an annual academic
entire wholesale trade industry in the calendar. Projects like the January Jump
region. The economic value of Northern Start reflect what Northern is hearing
further extends to supporting jobs and from students: a desire for training and
job creation – one out of every 33 jobs education that is accessible, flexible, and
38
Colleges Ontario. (2021). 2019-20 Key Performance Indicators. Retrieved from https://cdn.agilitycms.com/
colleges-ontario/documents-library/document-files/CO_KPI_2021_20210510151033_0.pdf
39
Northern College. (2018). Analysis of the Economic Impact and Return on Investment of Education: The
Economic Value of Northern College Applied Arts and Technology, 3.
40
Northern College. (2019). Northern College Exceeds Student Expectations in Latest KPI Data. Retrieved
from http://www.northernc.on.ca/northern-exceeds-student-expectations-kpi/
41
Northern College. (2018). Analysis of the Economic Impact and Return on Investment of Education: The
Economic Value of Northern College Applied Arts and Technology, 4.
42
Northern College. (2018). The Economic Value of Northern College – Kirkland Lake Campus.
43
Ibid.
15Coming Back from COVID-19
adaptable. Along with the January Jump campus that combines emergency services
Start program, the College has embarked programming with an operational fire
on other initiatives to support enhanced station and emergency medical services
accessibility and attract students, ambulance base working on site. Students
including innovative delivery methods put their learning to the test in the latest
for training and education outside of the in simulator training, and they get to
traditional course-and-classroom format experience the interdisciplinary cooperation
and allowing students to spread their required of emergency service providers in
training over a longer period of time. In real-life situations. This technology-focused
2019, Northern College also launched collaborative approach is breaking new
its Arrive and Thrive initiative, which ground in the field of experiential learning
involves proactive technology outreach in Ontario and has been accompanied by
to learners to help students get off to a notable rise in enrolment in the College’s
a great start in the academic year and health and emergency services programs
address challenges and barriers before by 24%, an important achievement given
they even arise. Now in its third year, this the growing demands on emergency
approach has led to improved retention in medical systems and increased pressure
programs and positive student outcomes. on already strained emergency services
resources in Northern Ontario.45
These innovative shifts in approach
are working. In 2020 and 2021, despite NORTHERN INNOVATION
the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern
HUB (IHUB) AT THE
experienced record enrolment – a 50%
TIMMINS CAMPUS
increase since October 2019 – in its
renowned mining programs.44 Further, Northern College is also nearing
domestic enrolment was up overall by completion of its Innovation Hub at the
7%, while few other colleges experienced Timmins campus, a multi-disciplinary
any net growth this year. facility designed to support mining-
enabling companies innovate, test, and
Northern is investing its own dollars as commercialize new products and services
part of its ongoing effort to align student and scale up their operations. The IHub
needs and market demands. Two of its encompasses over 23,000 square feet
recent programming and infrastructure of newly renovated space, offering labs,
projects highlight the path-breaking ways shops, classrooms, collaborative research
in which the College is bringing together pods and an entrepreneurial incubator.
regional employers and businesses with Specialized labours will support projects
students to solve real world challenges in advanced manufacturing, prototyping
through design, innovation and training: and testing, alternative energy, virtual
reality, resource exploration technology,
NORTHERN COLLEGE’S and the facility will continue to host
INTEGRATED EMERGENCY the existing welding shop and mining
SERVICES COMPLEX (IESC) simulation lab. Northern has invested
over $2 million in the iHub, which will
In fall 2018, Northern College unveiled
support the expansion and modernization
its Integrated Emergency Services
of the College’s signature programs
Complex (IESC), a 40,000 square foot,
and ensure the current and prospective
state-of-the-art facility at the Timmins
students have access to the training they
44
Northern College. (2021). Annual Report for Northern College 2021-2021. Retrieved from https://www.
northernc.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Northern-College-Annual-Report-2020-21.pdf, 12.
45
Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association. (2010). Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Concerns in
Northern Ontario. Retrieved from https://www.msdsb.net/images/ADMIN/docs/local_reports/NOSDA-EMS-
Position-Paper-Aug-2010.pdf, 5-7.
16A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
need to remain competitive in the North. Almost half of the Indigenous population
Bringing industry directly to students is a of working age has some post-secondary
win for both – students see a clear pathway education or qualification, compared
from hands-on learning to jobs with local with two-thirds of the non-Indigenous
employers, and industry partners benefits population.46 Fostering strong and mutually
from access to the College’s student beneficial relationships between Indigenous
workforce, faculty expertise and state-of- communities and local mining employers
the-art equipment and facilities. is essential, given the close proximity
of mining operations and Indigenous
Northern is also committed to working communities as well as the significant
with its industry and community partners representation of Indigenous people in
to train and develop the local labour the mining workforce compared to other
force, including underrepresented and sectors of the regional economy.47 Working
underutilized populations, to better meet together, Northern College and Kirkland
future workforce challenges head-on and Lake Gold plan to develop a unique
boost regional economic development. program that offers job readiness training
To this end, Northern College recently and employability skills development
announced a formal partnership with alongside specific job training to encourage
Kirkland Lake Gold to work together more indigenous people to work in and
on recruitment, applied research, benefit from the local mining sector.
curriculum development and employment
collaborations, including student, faculty,
and alumni exchanges. A similar agreement
is forthcoming with Canada Nickel. Mining development in the Abitibi region
At the core of Northern’s partnership with is growing exponentially. The demand on
Kirkland Lake Gold is talent recruitment our systems and supports continues to
and the alignment of programming and grow. With this growth comes the need to
training with industry needs. Collaborative
expand supports within the region. Northern
activities range from career fairs and
hiring campaigns, field trips to mines, College’s support of the mining industry
and speakers’ series, to applied research is poised to expand the environmental
and experiential learning opportunities for areas we need to address, such as water
students, including internships and co-op
and land reclamation, wildlife monitoring
placements at Kirkland Lake Gold. The
objective is to show students the mining and rehabilitation. Northern College’s
employment opportunities that exist just development in this area can reach to
steps from where they are completing the James Bay region and encompass
their training – and that students don’t northern environmental concerns, which
need to travel to Southern Ontario to
find good paying, skilled jobs that can
will become more urgent. The College is
transition into meaningful careers. uniquely positioned and I support the efforts
the College is making for environmental
Of note, the partnership will also focus
sustainability for this region.
on Indigenous engagement and training,
which is critically important in light of the
Mayor George Pirie, City of Timmins
historically low participation of Indigenous
peoples in post-secondary education.
46
Ontario Chamber of Commerce. (2017). Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills March in Ontario.
Retrieved from https://occ.ca/wp-content/uploads/Talent-in-Transition.pdf, 17.
47
Mining Industry Human Resources Council. (2019). Canada Mining Labour Market 10-Year Outlook 2020.
Retrieved from https://mihr.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/MIHR_National_Report_web2.pdf, 24.
17Coming Back from COVID-19
BRINGING
INNOVATION TO
KIRKLAND LAKE
Building on these formal partnerships management and support environmental
with Kirkland Lake’s largest mining stewardship, leveraging applied research
companies, Northern College is and development in the mining industry
embarking on a transformative project to to address environmental challenges,
drive innovation and support the creation including mining wastewater reclamation.
of new knowledge centres, leading The new programming at the KL iHub
practices and prototype development builds on the premise of micro-credentials
through applied research: the Kirkland and employs them to ‘stackable’
Lake Innovation Hub and Centre for maximization to assure ongoing
Excellence (KL iHub). The hub will credential recognition, which aligns with
encompass a fully renovated and state- the province’s effort to transform post-
of-the-art 15,000 square foot facility secondary education by supporting
focusing on environmental reclamation people as they upskill, reskill, and rejoin
related to water use in the mining the workforce, an effort made all the more
industry, including prototyping net zero important after the devastating job losses
carbon technology that can be employed of the pandemic.
for off gas capture, environmental
monitoring and protection, as well as With the proposed expansion in
environmental restructuring post-mining. programming, the KL iHub will provide
opportunities for students from all
The project will also incorporate the backgrounds to develop new skills in
use of biomass technology, the use high demand areas and build successful
of renewable plant material as an careers. The programming on offer is
energy source, which is an innovative directly targeted to meet the region’s
and growing field in Northern Ontario. workforce development needs now
Biomass technology will be a focus of and into the future as the mining sector
applied research to understand how continues to expand in Northeastern
it can be leveraged in environmental Ontario. Students will have an opportunity
applications, and Northern is also to work directly with leading employers
proposing a “living lab” on site that to explore and problem-solve key issues
uses biomass technology directly facing the mining sector, while industry
linked to the campus’ heating systems. will benefit from the focus on applied
The College will also be launching a research and innovation. The KL Hub
new program to support the training is levelling up experiential learning and
of biomass technicians as well as spearheading the creation and expansion
expanding its offering for environmental of new technologies as a pathway to job
management training specific to mining creation and economic growth in the North.
water and net zero off gas capture
as well as environmental inspection. Up to 90% of learners on the KL campus
This new programming will build on will be able to access the iHub and
Indigenous stewardship principles of land participate in its experiential learning
18A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
opportunities. For example, business including co-delivery of Northern’s
students at the KL campus can complete unique Environmental Technician
projects on cost benefit analysis related program. Lambton has an established
to environmental sustainability, as research expertise in the field of bio-
demonstrated through projects at the industrial technologies and will be a key
iHub. Northern College is also building development partner as Northern builds
specific micro-credentials for applied applied research as a key focus of the KL
research activities, so regardless of the iHub. Further, while Kirkland Lake Gold
particular program in which students are and Canada Nickel, as the two leading
enrolled, learned will get recognition for mining employers in the region, will
the applied research skills they develop. certainly have a large role to play in the
Northern College also applauds the development of the iHub, the College is
government’s recent initiative to simplify also working with smaller businesses that
the process for colleges to receive are peripheral to the larger mining sector
consent to offer new degrees and is but share similar needs and challenges
committed to exploring how the iHub could regarding environmental reclamation.
continue to innovate its program offerings These include heavy duty equipment firms
to produce even more graduates ready to requiring environmentally sustainable
enter the provincial workforce.48 approaches to managing their fleets
and support as they convert to battery-
As part of the KL iHub, Northern College operated vehicles. Story Environmental
is leveraging its existing partnerships and Blue Heron Environmental – already
with other post-secondary institutions significant employers of Northern College
and local industry partners while also graduates – are two additional regional
looking at new opportunities for public businesses that can benefit from the new
and private sector collaborations. programming at the KL iHub, particularly
Northern College and Lambton College in the field of testing standards.
have a long-standing partnership,
48
Government of Ontario. (2021). 2021 Burden Reduction Report: Fueling Future Growth by Modernizing
Ontario’s Regulatory System. Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/2021-burden-reduction-report-
fueling-future-growth-modernizing-ontarios-regulatory-system
19Coming Back from COVID-19
technology that Northern College is
planning to integrate into the KL iHub.
Mining in northeastern Ontario has As the province looks towards long-term
economic recovery from the COVID-19
always been a key economic driver.
pandemic, ensuring that Ontario can meet
With the new mining development and the unprecedented worldwide demand for
long-term strategies for environmental responsibly produced materials is a clear
sustainability associated with the path to economic development and job
mining growth plans, expansion in creation in Northern Ontario that will help
it recover from the COVID-19 pandemic
environmental programming for Northern
and from the lingering impacts of the
College at the Kirkland Lake campus 2008/2009 recession.
is a much needed growth plan. Water
The programming and applied research
management is critical to the north,
opportunities offered at the iHub will
and expanding existing program areas attract both domestic and international
in water management, renewal and students. The existing Environmental
sustainability, along with environmental Technician program, which provides
training to become a licensed drinking
monitoring capacity supports the
water and/or wastewater systems
entire region. Creating a hub for this operator, has drawn a significant number
programming and applied research, of international students to the College,
builds much needed capacity to support with international students making up
our mining sector. between 50 and 75 percent of all program
enrolments. Graduation rates for the
Mayor Pat Kiely, Town of Kirkland Lake program surpass the provincial average,
with 75% of all domestic students
and 100% of international students
successfully completing the program.
Further, demand for the KL iHub’s new
By building these close networks with biomass technician program is expected
local businesses, the KL iHub can to be domestic and international in
support the province’s economic growth scope. Biomass technology will service
agenda and priorities for the North. the northern regions of Cochrane, as
This includes the province’s focus on biomass is considered the most available
critical minerals, and Northern is ready energy resource for many northern
and willing to support the government communities. The application of biomass
in making Ontario the top supplier of to environmental reclamation will also be
critical minerals worldwide. Northern a driver for iHub utilization.
College’s work in the field of battery
electric vehicles is broadening the The KL iHub will continue the important
scope of its mechanical and heavy-duty work Northern College is doing to support
equipment programs, and demonstrating Indigenous education, employment,
the expanded skill sets the College’s and empowerment in the region. The
graduates will have to service the Ontario College plans to support applied research
economy. Further, as part of its project to projects relating to wastewater needs
develop nickel reserves in the Cochrane and challenges in nearby Indigenous
region, Canada Nickel is committing to communities as well as in mining camps
a zero-carbon footprint and this includes in the Northeast without access to the
off gas capture and rerouting, which municipal water supply.
can be adapted within the biomass
20A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
Realizing the Kirkland Lake
Innovation Hub
Northern College has made significant modernizing the existing facility, with
headway on advancing the KL iHub. the remaining $475,000 supporting the
Program development is well underway, purchase of state-of the-art equipment
and the College is working with its for the biomass technology and water lab
industry and business sector partners facilities to enhance the Hub’s innovative
to identify opportunities for private research capacity.
sector investment to support program
development costs. As it stands today, Provincial investment would ensure that
the College has an agreement in the KL Innovation Hub is completed,
principle with Commerce Management and that Northern College can expand
Group to share program development its programming to meet the ever-
costs for the new Biomass Technician increasing workforce development needs
program. Discussions are also underway in Northeastern Ontario. The KL iHub will
regarding cost-sharing for the mining support regional employers in their efforts
water reclamation program with local to push the envelope on innovation,
mining companies. Over the next two improve environmental stewardship, and
years, Northern is investing $3.2 million remain competitive in a race for skilled
in the project and is expecting to break workers. All told, this project represents
ground on the KL Innovation Hub in a significant opportunity for Northeastern
2022, with an opening date slated for the Ontario. Without investment from the
first quarter of 2023. province, the Northeast will continue to fall
behind the rest of the province. By making
In addition to the existing College this investment, the province can help
funds and anticipated private sector reverse negative population trends, grow
contributions, Northern College is seeking good-paying local jobs, and create a local
additional funding support in the amount infusion of funds to help lift Northeastern
of $2.5 million from the Government of Ontario up and help it recover from the
Ontario. Of that investment, $1.7 million economic impacts of the COVID-19 and
would be allocated to renovating and 2008/2009 recessions once and for all.
21Coming Back from COVID-19
CONCLUSION
It is clear that Northeastern Ontario may not recover
from the COVID-19 pandemic or be able to address the
growing demand for skilled labour, notably in the mining
sector but also across the board in the North. This is in
part because it was already starting from a disadvantaged
position because of the impacts of the 2008/09 recession.
Knowing that, the provincial government will need to
make investments in the region to promote the economic
growth and recovery of the region or be left to pick up
the financial costs associated with high unemployment.
These investments cannot be solely focused on creating
jobs or attracting new mandates because the lack of
a skilled local population to draw from will leave these
positions unfilled. Instead, the Ontario government must
wisely invest in opportunities that can both grow the
population and increase the skill level of the population.
That is done by investing in world leading programs at
post-secondary institutions with a local presence, which
in Northeastern Ontario is only Northern college. These
programs and the KL Innovation Hub will attract new
residents, create opportunities for existing ones, and lead
to job creation – three vital things needed for a strong
economic recovery from COVID-19.
22A Plan to Rebuild Northeastern Ontario
23PROUD TO BE NORTHERN.
PROUD TO BE NORTH. northern
Northern College
@mynorthernc
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