Ontario Investing Over $2.8 Million to Train More Community Planners for Northern Ontario

Press Release

June 12, 2026

New Bachelor of Community Planning program at Nipissing University will prepare students to build stronger northern communities

NORTH BAY — The Ontario government is investing over $2.8 million to launch a new Bachelor of Community Planning program at Nipissing University to train more community planners, with a unique focus on small and mid-sized communities, northern regions and Indigenous communities. To support the government’s plan to protect Ontario, the province is making strategic investments to help students prepare for successful careers and good-paying, in-demand jobs that are needed to drive prosperity in communities across the province.

“Northern Ontario is central to our province’s economic advantage, and we need the highly skilled planners to support strong, resilient northern communities,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “By investing in the next generation of planning professionals for the North, our government is ensuring this region has the homegrown talent it needs to build more homes, highways, hospitals and other critical infrastructure we need to thrive.”

Today’s investment will support the development of Nipissing’s new Bachelor of Community Planning program, which is expected to welcome its first cohort of students in Fall 2027. In addition, the program will also receive an investment of nearly $190,000 to fund 60 seats, as part of the government’s $75 million investment in Budget 2025 to train 7,800 more students for in-demand jobs in construction and planning.

“Today’s announcement marks an exciting milestone for Nipissing University and the communities we serve,” said Kevin Wamsley, President and Vice-Chancellor of Nipissing University. “As the only undergraduate planning program in Northern Ontario, our new Bachelor of Community Planning reflects our commitment to delivering responsive, relevant education connected to real-world needs. By combining strong academic foundations with practical, community-based experience, we are preparing graduates to help build sustainable, thriving, and inclusive communities across Northern Ontario and beyond. We are grateful for the Province’s support and proud to work alongside our partners and communities to bring this vision to life.”

Nipissing’s Bachelor of Community Planning program will also feature an Experiential Learning Centre, which will equip students with hands-on experience using cutting-edge equipment and facilitate student collaboration with industry leaders, community partners and local government, so students can hit the ground running upon graduation.

Ontario’s historic $236 billion plan to build requires a strong, highly skilled workforce to make it happen. Alongside Ontario’s historic $6.4 billion new funding model for colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes, the province is ensuring that northern and Indigenous communities have the professionals they need to deliver the infrastructure, homes and economic opportunities for generations to come.

Quick Facts

Nipissing’s new program will be the first planning program in Northern Ontario.
Ontario has a ten-year, $236 billion infrastructure plan to build homes, highways, hospitals and community infrastructure across the province.
Through Budget 2025, the Ontario government invested $75 million to train up to 7,800 additional students at colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes across the province for jobs in construction and urban planning.
Last month, the Ontario government announced $1.7 billion to fund 70,000 more seats for in-demand programs at publicly assisted colleges and universities, including skilled trades. This is part of the government’s new long-term funding model, which will bring an additional $6.4 billion to our colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes.

Quotes

“Through legislative reforms and measures like the expanded HST rebate, our government is creating the conditions to get more homes built across every corner of the province. The new Bachelor of Community Planning program at Nipissing will help to ensure that the North is positioned to make advantageous, informed decisions about community development that will help unlock its full potential.”

– Rob Flack
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

“Northern communities are growing, and they need planners who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of the North. By supporting this new Community Planning program at Nipissing University, our government is helping to equip northern students with the skills and tools to design made-in-the-North solutions that reflect the realities and needs of small, mid-sized and Indigenous communities across our region.”

– George Pirie
Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth

“Every nation-building project starts with a plan, and the North deserves skilled workers who know its communities best. By investing in this new program at Nipissing University, our government is building a homegrown pipeline of talent that will protect Northern communities and power economic growth for generations to come.”

– David Piccini
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

“Our government is supporting northern communities with historic investments, including more than $600 million to date for core infrastructure delivered through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. Today’s announcement helps ensure we have the skilled talent needed to get the job done. As part of our $236 billion capital plan, we are continuing to build and renew critical infrastructure to strengthen communities and keep workers on the job.”

– Todd McCarthy
Acting Minister of Infrastructure

“OPPI is thrilled to celebrate the launch of Nipissing University’s new undergraduate planning program — an important milestone for Northern Ontario and the future of the planning profession. With a focus on community planning for small to mid-sized communities, northern regions, and Indigenous communities, the program will help prepare graduates with highly relevant skills and perspectives to support sustainable, respectful, and community-focused planning. By creating a pathway to study planning in the North, the program will also help retain local talent and prepare graduates to contribute directly to the communities they know and understand.”

– Andria Leigh
Chair, Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI)

“Planning is one of the key professions behind housing delivery. From managing growth and coordinating infrastructure to navigating approvals and community building, planners help move projects from concept to construction. As governments work to stimulate new housing activity and address Ontario’s housing supply challenge, ensuring we have a strong pipeline of planning professionals will be essential. This investment will help prepare the next generation of talent needed to support growing communities across the province.”

– Kirstin Jensen
Vice President, Policy, Advocacy & Relationships, Ontario Home Builders’ Association

“One of the biggest challenges facing Northern Ontario is attracting and retaining the skilled professionals our communities need to grow. This investment in Nipissing University’s new Community Planning program helps address that challenge by giving students the opportunity to study, gain experience, and build careers in the North. By developing planners who understand the unique realities of northern communities, Ontario is helping ensure we have the local expertise needed to support housing, infrastructure, and economic development for years to come.”

– Dave Plourde
President, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM)

“This investment in Nipissing University’s Bachelor of Community Planning program will help prepare the next generation of planners to meet the needs of Northern communities. With hands-on experience through the Experiential Learning Centre, students will graduate job-ready and equipped to support vital infrastructure and community development. Ontario’s universities remain committed to building the highly skilled talent that drives economic growth across the province.”

– Steve Orsini
President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities

“Northern and First Nations communities are uniquely positioned to design, develop and responsibly build their own futures. Our government continues to remove barriers for the northern workforce, by meeting people where they are, and ensuring they have the education and skills needed to become the next generation of community planners and leaders.”

– Greg Rickford
MPP for Kenora—Rainy River

“Strong planning is essential as northern communities, including those in Parry Sound–Muskoka, continue to grow. This investment helps communities manage that growth while protecting what makes them special and supporting the next generation shaping their future.”

– Graydon Smith
MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka

“Northern Ontario’s future depends on strong, well-planned communities and a skilled workforce to support growth. Through this investment in Nipissing University’s new Bachelor of Community Planning program, our government is helping train the next generation of planners who understand the unique needs of northern and Indigenous communities. This program will create new opportunities for students, strengthen local capacity, and encourage young professionals to learn, work and build their futures in Northern Ontario.”

– Kevin Holland
MPP for Thunder Bay—Atikokan

“We know there’s demand for a Bachelor of Community Planning Program here in the North, and we’re pleased that, through collaboration with Nipissing University, the new program will come to fruition in 2027. With the expansion of mining in the Northern regions, it’s never been more important to support communities with professional planners who have the skills to shape the future of our towns and cities as the industry continues to grow.”

– Vic Fedeli
MPP for Nipissing

“Northern Ontario continues to grow, creating new opportunities in trades, services, and other industries for individuals seeking to develop their skills or explore new career paths. The availability of new educational and training programs provides local options for northern residents to pursue their goals close to home. These opportunities not only support individual career growth but also contribute to the long-term strength and prosperity of northern communities.”

– Bill Rosenberg
MPP for Algoma—Manitoulin

Additional Resources

Media Contacts

Bianca Giacoboni
Minister’s Office
Bianca.Giacoboni@ontario.ca

Media Desk
Communications Branch
MCURES.media@ontario.ca

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