Living in northern Ontario means we face several unique challenges says a report released today by Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario.
The foundation's report details the “wellbeing” of the province’s residents.
It defines wellbeing as, “The presence of the highest possible quality of life in its full breadth of expression focused on but not necessarily exclusive to: good living standards, robust health, a sustainable environment, vital communities, an educated populace, balanced time use, high levels of democratic participation, and access to and participation in leisure and culture.
The North has the smallest part of the population living in the largest land area.
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The population is older with the highest percentage of people 50 years of age or older and one of the lowest percentages of children and youth, as well as the smallest average family size.
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The north is the least ethnically diverse part of the province (apart from the highest percentage of Aboriginal peoples) but does have the highest percentages of people with French as their first language and with a working knowledge of both official languages.
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People in the North region have one of the lowest after-tax median incomes in the province as well as the lowest level of employment and the highest level of unemployment, although only about 1 in 5 people pay more than 30% of their income on housing — the lowest percentage in the province.
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Despite these indicators of relative economic insecurity, the region has percentages of people in low income and facing food insecurity that is very near the provincial rates.
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People in the North region feel somewhat less safe in their communities and have the highest incidence of serious crime than anywhere else in the province, and perhaps relatedly, fewer residents feel that most people can be trusted.
The report says despite these things, people in the North, more so than anywhere else, provide support to others in need, do volunteer slightly more than others, and have the highest percentage of people reporting a stronger sense of belonging to their communities
The report goes on to say North region residents are facing similar environmental issues like smog and greenhouse gas emission as elsewhere in the province. However, they have the lowest participation rate in waste reduction through the Blue Box program, which has not expanded throughout the region as much as elsewhere in the province.
Even though very few people, in general, take advantage of adult educational activities, the libraries in the North are offering many more programs in career support and skill development undoubtedly in response to the employment conditions. Perhaps not surprisingly, fewer learning opportunities are offered to children who make up a smaller percentage of the population, but there are more child care spaces available.
Residents spend somewhat less time in social leisure activities but have the highest level of monthly physical activity in the province.
Their volunteering rate is about the same as the province as a whole,but somewhat less of that commitment is devoted to recreation and cultural organizations.
Health Concerns:
The North region has the lowest percentages of people in the province with good overall health, with good mental health, and living without health or activity-related limitations to their day-to-day living.
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Further, the percentage of people with access to a regular health physician also is the lowest in the province.
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These are serious health concerns for the North and they undoubtedly contribute to and detract from many other aspects of the residents’ overall wellbeing.
Despite all of these challenges, a majority of residents in the North region (86.7%) report being satisfied with their lives. So there is much to celebrate about living in the North region of Ontario.
However, there are numerous factors across all domains of life that contribute to and detract from the residents’ quality of life.
“By recognizing how these circumstances interact and intersect to affect the lives of the North region’s residents in different ways, we are in a better position to make informed decisions that can lead to enhanced quality of life in their communities, and ultimately, the province overall,” the report continues.
Implications
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What steps can be taken to improve the conditions in the North that are contributing to the overall poorer health of its residents?
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Might the high levels of unpaid help being provided to others and a stronger sense of belonging to the community be paths to improving wellbeing and hence overall health?
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Are there things that could be done to further enrich the arts and culture opportunities available to residents?
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Are there ways in which families, especially children and youth (perhaps through intergenerational programs), could be exposed to the arts earlier to develop lifelong interests?
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Beyond expanding the Blue Box program for recycling, in what other programs or activities could residents become involved to encourage even greater stewardship of the environment?
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With the high percentages of people in low income and facing food insecurity, what more can be done to ensure fewer people confront such economic hardships?
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How might tackling these issues contribute to better health?
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What can be done to encourage more civic engagement and participation in the democratic process so people can take greater control of their lives?
Watch: How are we really doing?
