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Upon learning of the City of North Bay's population increase following the public release of data from the 2021 Census, Wednesday, Mayor Al McDonald expressed optimism the numbers are headed in the right direction after a population drop of 2,100 in 2016.
See related: 2021 Census: Population rising in North Bay
"This is a positive sign for our city," McDonald stated. "We ran on a mandate to 'Grow our City,' and I hope the next council continues to make growth a priority. There is still more work to be done."
Big ideas, future projects, and growth were at the forefront for the victorious McDonald on election night in October 2018.
“My goal is to see the city of North Bay go up by 10,000 in 10 years. So, I would like our population to be 62,000," McDonald declared as the current council was sworn in. "I want to see our numbers grow 5 to 10 percent a year on the building stat numbers. And we need to increase the assessment rolls, and that target is still to be determined by council. But those are the three good measurements that we can determine as a council, from a community perspective, how we’re being measured by the strategies that we put in place.”
See also: Newly sworn city council wants the country to know North Bay is open for business
Earlier Wednesday it was revealed North Bay had recorded a 2.2 per cent population increase over 2016, according to the latest census data from Statistics Canada. The population increase amounts to an additional 1,109 North Bay residents, a rise from 51,553 in 2016 to 52,662 in 2021.
"While the 2021 census captures a point in time as of May 2021, we know that we’re continuing in the right direction because increased job listings and the demand for real estate and new housing hasn't let up since," said the Mayor.
See: North Bay construction values soar to record heights
By October 2021, North Bay had already surpassed its full-year record for construction values. McDonald stated then the goal was to extend the building record to finish 2021, then get 2022 off to a strong start before he passes the baton off to his successor following the fall election. By the end of 2021, construction values had climbed to more than $150 million. The City says local construction activity so far this year is ahead of last year's record pace.
North Bay recorded a 3.9 per cent population decrease, from 53,651 in 2011 to 51,553 in 2016, spurring the growth mandate.
See also: Mayor 'disappointed' in city's population drop
And: Mayor McDonald wants more immigrants in northern Ontario
"We’re currently benefiting from record construction activity and we’re seeing new families and businesses choose North Bay," said McDonald. "Some of this is pandemic-related, but we were well-positioned as a City thanks to the programs that were implemented and the investments in infrastructure that were made prior to COVID-19."
See: McDonald plans to strengthen infrastructure
"I want to commend Council for showing leadership in making the critical infrastructure investments for future growth, especially in the face of opposition, McDonald continued." Without those investments, the City would not be able to capitalize on the opportunity to grow today."
