New Service Boundary Map is launched in Northern Ontario – Northern Policy

August 22, 2017 – Northern Policy Institute (NPI) and North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB)– Your Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC) have launched a new interactive GIS tool that allows users to explore the many community, administrative and service provider boundaries in the northern regions of Ontario.

The Northern Ontario Boundary Map is loaded with all kinds of features for users, including the ability to see multiple administrative boundaries at once, obtain information on various organizations, use snippets of the map for papers and print, and share the map on social media.

“When LEPC raised the idea of a boundary map for the NSWPB/Thunder Bay region, we thought it was information all of the northern regions would benefit from, and were excited to partner on the initiative with them,” said Charles Cirtwill, President & CEO, Northern Policy Institute. “As a standing open invitation, we encourage those who have comments on what should be added to the map to contact us, so we can continue to improve the tool.”

The map includes the following boundaries:

• Anishinabek Employment & Training Services
• Census Districts
• Census Subdivisions (communities)
• Community Futures Development Corporations
• District Social Services Administration Boards
• Economic Regions
• Federal Districts
• First Nations Treaties
• Local Service Boards
• Métis Nation of Ontario Regions
• Provincial Electoral Districts
• Service Providers
• Tribal Councils
• Workforce Planning Boards

The Northern Ontario Boundary Map aims to provide accurate and current boundaries available from various governments, communities and service providers. Future stages of the project will look at adding additional boundaries to the map or revising them if we are made aware of changes. See something missing? We invite you to send updates or additions to mappingthenorth@northernpolicy.ca

“Having access to up to date boundaries and service grids in the NSWPB region has been identified as a gap by many communities,” said Madge Richardson, Executive Director, North Superior Workforce Planning Board – Your Local Employment Planning Council “This map is another educational tool that Northerners now have available to them, when looking to access services and make informed decisions.”

To start exploring, visit www.northernpolicy.ca/boundarymap or www.nswpb.ca/lepc/projects

Media Interviews: Charles Cirtwill, President & CEO, Northern Policy Institute and Madge Richardson, Executive Director of the North Superior Workforce Planning Board – Your Local Employment Planning Council, are both available for comment.

To arrange an interview, please contact:

Katie Elliott
Communications Coordinator
kelliott@northernpolicy.ca
705-542-4456

About Northern Policy Institute (NPI):

Northern Policy Institute is Northern Ontario’s independent think tank. We perform research, collect and disseminate evidence, and identify policy opportunities to support the growth of sustainable Northern communities. Our operations are located in Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, and Sudbury. We seek to enhance Northern Ontario’s capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy that impacts Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada as a whole.

About the Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC):

LEPC in Thunder Bay is a pilot project led by the North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB) with the support of Northern Policy Institute (NPI) as data and research partner. The LEPC uses community consultation, research, and evidence-based practices to spur innovation in workforce development in our region.

About the North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB):

The North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB) is one of twenty-six Workforce Planning zones across Ontario, mandated through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to identify, assess and prioritize the skills and knowledge needs of community, employers and individual participants/learners in the local labour market through a collaborative, local labour market planning process.

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