Listen Live
HomeNewsMajor North Bay conference will feature First Nation component

Major North Bay conference will feature First Nation component

When the Northern Policy Institute holds an economic conference in North Bay, a segment will be devoted to how First Nations are generating revenue for themselves.

NPI President and CEO Charles Cirtwill says one of those Indigenous communities is the Nipissing First Nation which will address the delegates.

“They will talk about the taxes they charge off-reserve cottage owners who have long-term leases on the reserve,” said Cirtwill.

“This creates a very predictable revenue source for the community which it can re-invest not only in infrastructure but also create jobs for band members.  So it’s a win-win situation.”

- Advertisement -

Cirtwill says the NPI has found that Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario are better off than their counterparts in Southern Ontario.

He says their employment is higher, the dependence on individual transfers is lower, education levels are higher and health outcomes are better.

Cirtwill says NPI doesn’t know why this is the case.

However he adds it understands why Indigenous communities in the northeast are better off than those in the northwest.

“The northeast has a very good transportation grid,” he said.

“It’s possible to go from community to community and not end up on a dead end road.  In the northwest there are three major highways that essentially disappear into the woods.”

Cirtwill says this causes all kinds of challenges like accessing employment opportunities.

There are also issues with accessing consumer goods, services, health care and education opportunities.

“All these are harder for Indigenous communities in rural or remote parts in the northwest than those in the northeast,” he said.

The NPI conference is September 26th and 27th

 

- Advertisment -
- Advertisment -
- Advertisement -

Continue Reading