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Learning From One Another: Labour Markets in Northern Ontario

The economy in Northern Ontario has recovered from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to grow by 20 per cent over the next 20 years. However, the existing workforce is not able to fill the demand for labour in the region, which will continue to grow.

What is contributing to the shortage of labour in Northern Ontario? What sectors of the economy have the largest demand for labour? What role is immigration playing in growing the skilled labour force in the region? What are the main challenges to retention of skilled workers in Northern Ontario? How can inclusion in education and participation in the workforce maximize the number of employment opportunities in the region being filled by local talent? And what can post-secondary institutes in Northern Ontario do to offer programming in occupations that are in demand in the labour market?

This primer provides an overview of Northern Ontario’s labour market conditions. It is part of a multi-year collaborative research project which explores labour markets in Nunavut, Northern Ontario, and Yukon.

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Key insights

To meet the demand for labour in Northern Ontario, it is projected that the region will need to retain its current population and attract 8,100 new people every year for the next 20 years.

Over the last five years, Northern Ontario has seen an influx in immigration due to efforts to attract skilled workers. Between 2016 and 2021, Northern Ontario saw a 49 per cent increase in immigrants obtaining permanent residency.

Continuing to attract skilled immigrants and supporting retention will be key to meeting the demands of the labour market. Challenges to retention include the availability of affordable housing, inadequate public transportation, limited settlement services and cultural and religious infrastructure, and discrimination and intolerance.

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