THUNDER BAY, ON ----- May 20, 2009 ---- Another nugget of wisdom from the Dr. Robert 
Rosehart report is now in place. It is a plan to promote entrepreneurship in Northern Ontario. Rosehart recognized the importance of entrepreneurship in developing any economy and in his view no society can have enough of them. In his vision entrepreneurs are special people who drive new growth and wealth creation in society. They should be cherished and nurtured from an early age. Well the announcement by Minister Gravelle fell short of Rosehart’s vision of nurturing entrepreneurship.
Tuesday’s announcement by Ontario’s Minister of Mines and Northern Development, Hon. Michael Gravelle was what the crowd gathered at the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce wanted to hear.
In many northern communities traditional sources of income have dried up, and as benefits begin to run out some people are investing in their ideas to create a livelihood. This announcement will be welcome news for these people
The Northern Ontario Entrepreneurial Program will provide up to $125,000 for entrepreneurs who are developing new businesses that hire people. The money can be used for capital and for the first time covers training costs for staff. There will not be an age cut off which makes this program ideal for laid off workers who are looking to start over as business people.
This funding is enhanced by changes to two other government programs that work to enhance economic activity in our region they are the Enterprises North Job Creation Program and the Private Sector Emerging Technology Program. For the first time up to 50% of the funding in these programs may be in the form of a conditional grant. For application information and more details on all three programs call Anne-Marie Flanagan, Ministers Office 416-327-0655.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Bill Mauro helped bring some perspective to today’s announcement. Some years ago the funds for entrepreneurial development became lost in a general government infrastructure fund. By following another recommendation in Bob Rosehart’s report Northwestern Ontario: Preparing for Change.
Some of the work in Rosehart’s report dates back to 1996 when he was first approached to develop this report. In his works some of the recommendations are billion dollar initiatives. I find it interesting the way intellectuals and politicians have to work together in order for things to get done. In the long run we are all on the same team. A prosperous Northern Ontario will lead to a prosperous South. Once Rosehart’s report was completed many of the recommendations such as the Northern Ontario Medical School have come into being. This year our first doctors will graduate from this program.
In the wellspring of a flourishing economy Rosehart correctly viewed entrepreneurs as people of vision with a conviction that could grow a vibrant and diverse economy. In the present economy entrepreneurs might well be mill workers who are about to run out of benefits and cannot get enough for their present home to leave their community. In the words of Nipigon Mayor Richard Harvey, “We all have to work together to get out of this situation”.
This day’s announcement all the players in the Northwestern economy were present. Representatives from the aboriginal community were on hand, as were mayors from Nipigon and Dryden and Thunder Bay. Noticeably absent from the team were the elected representatives for the city’s federal ridings. One delegate mentioned that they have become the most marginalized politicians in the quickest possible time. Wee need a full team to work hard if we want to achieve the development we need so much. Federal participation in plans for the northwest is something that needs to happen soon.
