Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee

WITH RESPECT to the November 13, 2024 meeting of the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee, we recommend that the agenda as printed, including any additional information and new business, be confirmed.

THAT the Minutes of Meeting 06-2024 Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee, held on October 9, 2024, be confirmed.

WITH RESPECT to Post-Grad Work Permit (PGWP) Program Reforms we recommend that City Council calls for the Federal Government to delay the implementation of PGWP reforms as these changes will have profound negative impacts on Northwestern Ontario and worsen the region’s critical labour gaps; AND THAT the delay of PGWP reforms would allow the Federal Government the necessary time to engage collaboratively with industry leaders, provincial authorities, and the public college sector, to safeguard economic growth in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario; AND THAT if approved, a copy of the resolution passed by City Council be provided to the Prime Minister and Minister of Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship, and to the Presidents of Confederation College and Lakehead University.

WITH RESPECT to the Ontario Forest Industries Association’s 2025 Ontario budget recommendations, we recommend that City Council supports implementation of the recommendations aimed at attracting investment and maintaining forest operations and employment in Ontario; AND THAT if approved, a copy of the resolution passed by City Council be provided to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Minister of Mines, Minister of Energy and Electrification, Minister of Finance, Minister of Northern Development/Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, MPP Thunder Bay - Atikokan/ Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, MPP Thunder Bay - Superior North, and all NOMA member municipalities.