Ontario has released a proposed Growth Plan for Northern Ontario designed to set the region's economy on a strong, globally-competitive footing.

The North's population will stabilize in the next 25 years. The proposed Growth Plan brings together the building blocks needed to prepare the region for shifts in the economy by growing Northern opportunities, strengthening its workforce, and enhancing northerners' quality of life.

The 25-year plan proposes policies, programs and actions, and calls on governments and their northern partners to realize a shared vision. Key actions include:

• Maximizing the economic benefit of increased mineral exploration and production and strengthening the mineral industry cluster
• Strengthening partnerships among colleges, universities and industry to support research, and to educate and train northerners for careers in growing fields 
• Building a new relationship with Aboriginal people to increase participation in the future economic growth of Northern Ontario and achieve better health status for aboriginal communities
• Developing complete networks to support stronger communities such as an inter-regional transportation network, enhanced broadband service, and a broader transmission network to increase capacity for renewable energy development
• Creating regional economic zones to help communities plan collaboratively for their economic, labour market, infrastructure, land-use, cultural and population needs
• Encouraging development and use of green technologies and demonstrating leadership in green building, and water and energy conservation.
  

Over the next few months, Northern Ontario residents, youth, Aboriginal peoples, community leaders, business, industry and other experts have the opportunity to help chart the future of the region by commenting on the actions recommended in the proposed plan.

A final Growth Plan will guide future policy development and infrastructure investments by the province.