By Greg Hazley
The Northeastern Ontario region of Canada, a 103,000-square-mile area above the Great Lakes which is facing a declining population, is trolling for proposals to create a marketing and promotion campaign to attract immigration.
The region’s four major cities – Salt Ste Marie, Timmins, North Bay and Sudbury – have issued an RFP under the Timmins Economic Development Corp. for a campaign to steer people and, in turn, development to the area.
“The initiative is to work as a collaborative partnership to enhance the national and international profile of the region,” reads the RFP, which has a deadline of Nov. 12. “A joint marketing campaign can only strengthen North Ontario as a destination for relocation.”
The population decline – nearly nine percent since 1996 -- has led to a labor shortage and coincided with paltry new investment, while straining existing business in the rural region.
Sudbury, for example, will tout its access to North American markets and proximity to New York, Detroit and Chicago.
Country-wide, Canada expects to rely 100% on immigration for growth by 2026, due to out-migration and aging populations.
The outreach campaign will include French-language marketing targeting major cities like Montreal and Quebec.
Download the RFP (PDF).
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