Two years later, Rosehart report author says government responding well

Robert Rosehart Googles his report every now and then to keep track of the government’s response, and says he believes the province has reacted well to its contents.

The retired university president and former Ontario economic facilitator wrote Northwestern Ontario: Preparing for Change in February 2008. Since then, he said 14 recommendations he’s made have made some progress, but the real challenge will come next election and its up to northern voters to force the issues he’s raised.

"The challenge is for Northern residents to put some pressure both on the governing party and also the NDP and the Conservatives to really make some bold statements on development in Northwestern Ontario," Rosehart said.

One particular issue is elementary education in Far North First Nation communities. While the focus has been on aboriginal secondary school completion rates, political will from First Nations, Ontario and the federal government needs to happen in order to form a partnership.

"You’re never going to successfully deal with that too well until you deal with the foundation levels of education and elementary school. Funding for the Far North schools is just not anywhere near the levels that you have in mainstream Ontario because it’s a federal responsibility and I think that’s got to change," he said.

Rosehart said he’s pleased to see recommendations, such as four-lane highways and permanent winter roads, coming about.

And with the province’s upcoming Northern Ontario Growth Plan, he thinks more of his recommendations will start to be implemented.

"The more politicians and the more citizens you can get focussed on the targets the better," he said.