Toward a Common Voice for Northwestern Ontario
The Common Voice Northwest Initiative is a movement toward unified action by the citizens of Northwestern Ontario to chart their own course within the Province and the Country by addressing regional challenges with realistic Northern solutions.
Northwestern Ontario is a distinct geographic, economic and social space within Canada. The challenges it faces are as different and the contributions it makes to the Province and Country are unique. The complex decisions affecting the Northwest are best understood and made by those who live here.
To be heard clearly by the other regions of the Province and Country, Northwestern Ontario must operate as consensual union that speaks clearly on common areas interest. This Common Voice includes area business, industry, labour, municipalities, areas without municipal organization, schools, post secondary institutions, multicultural organizations and development agencies.
The role of Common Voice Northwest is to ensure that, to the best of its ability, and through co-operation with all of its partners, the people of the Northwest become more advantaged than they are today. Common Voice Northwest will identify, promote and develop economic opportunities in and for Northwestern Ontario. It will also enter into a dialogue with all residents and interest groups of the Region to determine those projects that should be undertaken as a priority.
Its Board of Directors are appointed by the member organizations with their Executive Committee elected annually by the Directors. CVNW currently operates with a full time Administrator (FedNor Intern) and a volunteer Executive Director. Its funding comes from its members.
Common Voice Northwest has engaged the expertise of regional leaders within identified industries and challenged areas. These leaders have formed into Task Forces or Regional Committees to identify the issues and create action plans:
Agriculture Task Force: Provides region wide leadership for the development of our agricultural industry.
Transportation Task Force: Focus on the access and modes needed for a growing economy.
Mining Task Force: Providing advice to foster development and sustainability in the region’s mining sector.
Tourism Northwest: Developing and fostering a Northwestern Ontario tourism strategy which addresses key issues, including planning, policy and product development.
Energy Task Force: Examining the viability of developing a regional energy authority.
Regional Enhancement Committee: Provides region wide leadership for community and labour adjustment.
Policy Research Institute: Would serve as an arm’s length source of policy advice to regional leaders and a repository of knowledge and data on the region.
Toward a Structure that Ensures Representation
Below is a graphical representation of the initial proposed structure for the NWO
Common Voice Initiative. This structure has not been ratified, but is a starting
point for discussion.
|
