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Gov’t Policies Threaten Northern Communities
April 5th, 2006
At least two reports have been requested, financed and submitted to the Government of Ontario that evidently encourage the adoption of policies to depopulate rural communities in Northern Ontario.
Small, Rural, and Remote Communities, The Anatomy of Risk is a 37 page report that was submitted in 2003 by a consulting firm in collaboration with two faculty members of the University of Toronto. See pages 31 to 33
A second 250 page report submitted in 2004 is called “Creating a Human Capital Society” In this document the policy recommendations we are referring to can be found on pages 175 to 180.
These reports examine the government’s role in responding to the increased social and fiscal challenges facing communities at risk in Northern Ontario and include recommendations for a government strategy devised to justify downsizing some of our existing rural communities.
The study also suggests that the values we hold as part of the Northern experience should be exchanged for the corporate agenda where communities and the environment are sacrificed to bottom line economics.
Obviously these reports suggest that population decline is the only possible response to the changing landscape within Northern Ontario and that the only way to effectively manage our resources in the North and compete in the marketplace is in the Walmart approach rather than having diversity within the industry and the community.
We contend that this makes little fiscal sense. This shortsighted perspective does little to strengthen Ontario or Canada. Why are we not working harder at establishing secondary manufacturing in sites with well developed infrastructure rather than exporting our raw resources and dismatling the foundations of our country. Depopulation of these communities will only give better access and control to Corporations to exploit and abuse our natural resources for profit while it undermines sustainability, particularly in the forest industry.
Where is the justice or democracy when our government allows corporations to come into our communities and redirect our natural resources out of the region, stripping us of our livelihood and equity for without even consulting the people directly affected, as was the case at the Tembec owned Excel sawmill in Opasatika?
What the government seems to forget is that the forest industry alone generates $2.5 billion in federal, provincial and municipal taxes. Royalties from stumpage fees are designed to help maintain sustainable forest management throughout the province.
The wealth generated from our natural resources belong to the people of Ontario, not to the shareholders of corporations that own the mines and mills of the region. Our roots run deep here in the North and we will not sacrifice our way of life without a fight.
STRONG is working on a rebuttal to these studies that will discuss and deconstruct their arguments. Through this exercise it will become evident that their recommendations ignore many of the facts that should be considered in any comprehensive examination of Northern Ontario.
We invite individuals and organizations that share our vision and goals to join us to defend our right to self-determination in Northern Ontario.
You can view or download these documents below.
ACADEMIC
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Anatomy Of Risk
Rebuttal_Study.doc [174K]
