THUNDER BAY, ON - February 05 2009 - With the publicity around the recent “Think North Summit” held earlier this week at the Valhalla Inn it is easy to forget the initial work done by Dr. Bob Rosehart. His report now referred to as the Rosehart report was published in 2007. Minister of Mines and Northern Development Michael Gravelle calls the Rosehart report an important document saying “that many of his recommendations will be included in the new plan to develop the north”. At present only seven of his recommendations have come to fruition.

Dr. Rosehart’s frustration with the process is summed up with his comments about the need for patience. Suggesting politics being what they are between the Federal  and the Province governments has kept the recommendations from moving forward. He went on to say, “To get the most of these recommendations we really must have the federal and provincial politicians at the table”. Notably absent from this weeks summit was the presence of a Federal Politician.

Dr. Rosehart, former chancellor of Lakehead University was commissioned by the province to come up with a plan for economic renewal in the north and to come up with a list of recommendations. His report “Northern Growth – Preparing for Change”, was released in 2007.

There were two recommendations in his report that Dr. Rosehart has on his wish list. One is the need for aboriginal schools in the far north. These schools can successfully prepare young people in these northern communities for the opportunities that the future will provide. Northern workers will be crucial to the new prosperity in the north.

The other recommendation on Dr. Rosehart’s wish list is a change in the “Young Entrepreneur’s Program”. He would like to remove the age restrictions on this program saying that, “there are many who would like to take advantage of this program, not just the young”. Indeed one of the repeated themes of the Think North Summit was the need to foster an entrepreneurial spirit. This especially applies to the young, but older generations are important to. New innovative business ideas can lead an economy back to prosperity.

I was happy to see Bob Rosehart at the Think North Summit. He is the original innovator for much of the creative work that will be going on. He has a giant heart because I am convinced that he does not care about being credited for the work that he has done, but is more concerned that the work that needs to be done gets done. Our federal representatives Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty were not to be seen at this conference. Do they not have anything to learn about economic development in the north? Do they have nothing to contribute to such a venture? Both MPs are new on the job may take time for them to find a worthwhile place at the development table. It is not easy bringing the stakeholders together. Like Bob Rosehart we all need to share a little bit of giant heart our area is known for, because we are all in the same boat together.

Bert Rowson
LakeSuperiorNews.com