Northwestern Ontario Economic Facilitator

In the 2007 Ontario Budget, the Province appointed Dr. Robert Rosehart as Northwestern Ontario Economic Facilitator, to work with local people and businesses to help inspire a new generation of growth in the Northwest. Dr. Rosehart was President of Lakehead University for 13 years prior to being appointed to his current position as President of Wilfrid Laurier University.

Dr. Rosehart facilitated discussions among stakeholders and governments at all levels that will help the people of the Northwest strengthen their economy and future prosperity. Building on the good work already underway, the intention is to rally the efforts of local and regional stakeholders and bring to bear the experience of government in helping local economies address challenges and pursue strategic opportunities. Dr. Rosehart will help to build a strong foundation for a new generation of growth in northwestern Ontario and will provide valuable input into the recently announced Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.

Staff Contact

Dale Ashbee
Project Lead
NW Ontario Facilitator Initiative

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Tel: 807-475-1518
Fax: 807-475-1589
Cell: 807-628-5098
Dale.Ashbee@ontario.ca

Dr. Robert Rosehart

Born in Owen Sound, Ontario, Robert Rosehart holds B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., and PhD degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo.  He was a professor of chemical engineering at Lakehead University during the 1970's, prior to beginning his administrative career as Dean of Lakehead’s University Schools in 1977.

Dr. Rosehart was President of Lakehead University for 13 years before being appointed as President of Wilfrid Laurier in 1997. In 1986, he chaired the seven-member Advisory Committee on Resource Dependent Communities in Northern Ontario.

He is chair of the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre Advisory Board; a member of the Association of Universities and Community Colleges Standing Advisory Committee on Educational Issues and Funding; serves as an executive committee member of Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc., the Waterloo Region’s economic development partnership; and chairs the Selection Committee for the Government of Ontario’s Amethyst Awards, which recognize Ontario’s outstanding public servants.

The Ontario government appointed Dr. Rosehart to the post of Northwestern Ontario Economic Facilitator in the spring of 2007, with a mandate to co-ordinate efforts to improve the economic foundation of the province’s northwestern region. Dr. Rosehart presented his final report, ‘Northwestern Ontario: Preparing For Change’, to Minister Gravelle in March, 2008.

Contact Information for Dr. Rosehart:

Cell: (519) 897-2700
Address: 435 James Street South, Suite 340                  
Thunder Bay, ON   P7E 6S7
Email: bob.rosehart@ontario.ca