THUNDER BAY -- The sky is not falling and people are not leaving the North in droves a regional think tank says.
A recent report by the Northern Policy Institute shows that while there has been a 2.2 per cent population decline in Northern Ontario over the past dozen years, five of the 11 Northern districts actually showed growth. The Thunder Bay district showed a 4.7 per cent per cent dip over that time while the city itself dropped 1.2 per cent.
But CEO Charles Cirtwill said all indications show that the region has already seen the worst of it.
"The pain is relatively over on that basis," he said. "We're seeing a stabilization here."
Even better news, youth leaving the North last year was the lowest its been in more than a decade. More jobs and more full-time jobs means more opportunity for youth Cirtwill said.
"You're better off to stay here," he said.
