Development Kenora

Happy 35th Anniversary to Elizabeth Campbell Books, located in the Harbourtown Centre in Kenora!

For 35 years, Elizabeth Campbell Books has been a destination for book lovers, collectors, and curious minds. With an inventory of approximately 80,000 books and a reputation as one of Northwestern Ontario's largest used and out-of-print bookstores, Elizabeth has helped generations of readers discover their next great read.

Congratulations on this incredible milestone, and thank you for being such a valued part of the Kenora community!

Check out this BBQ & Open House at Raysolar, located at 1870 ON-17, Kenora on June 26.

Ray and his team will be showing their newest power system innovation!

We were thrilled to welcome over 40 delegates to the Northern Policy Institute's Mini Magnetic North Conference in Kenora on June 22 and 23.

Attendees gathered to learn about immigration and population growth in the Kenora and Rainy River districts, hear insights from keynote speaker David Campbell, and share ideas on the opportunities and challenges facing our region. Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to these important conversations about building strong, vibrant communities.

A special thank you to The MUSE for allowing the Economic Development and Tourism Department to host the opening reception at the Douglas Family Art Centre!

✨ Congratulations to Brackens Books on their Grand Opening in Kenora!

A cozy, thoughtfully curated space for book lovers, dreamers, and curious minds, Brackens Books is a wonderful addition to our community. Whether you're searching for your next great read, a unique gift, or simply a welcoming place to browse and explore, be sure to stop by and see what they have to offer. Located at
209 Second Street South.

We wish Kyle at Brackens Books every success with this exciting new chapter in Kenora! 📖

Immigration is shaping the future of communities across Northwestern Ontario. Join community leaders, employers, economic development professionals, municipal representatives, and anyone interested in population growth and workforce development at Mini Magnetic North in Kenora on June 22-23 to learn, connect, and help shape the conversation.

The demand for bilingual talent in the Far Northwest of Ontario is rising.

Sectors like healthcare, education, community services, and tourism in the Kenora and Rainy River Districts are actively looking for Francophone and bilingual workers.

Join us at Mini Magnetic North to discuss how we can attract, welcome, and retain the people needed to fill these crucial roles.

Don't miss out. For info and registration: northernpolicy.ca



La demande de main-d'œuvre bilingue est en pleine croissance dans l'Ouest-Nord-Ouest de l'Ontario. 🗣✨

Les secteurs de la santé, de l'éducation, des services communautaires et du tourisme dans les districts de Kenora et de Rainy River recherchent activement des travailleurs francophones et bilingues.

Rejoignez-nous à Mini Magnetic North pour discuter des stratégies à adopter afin d'attirer, d'accueillir et de retenir les talents nécessaires pour combler ces postes essentiels.

C'est un rendez-vous à ne pas manquer. Infos et inscriptions : northernpolicy.ca/fr

Youth Enterprise Day Camp offers campers the opportunity to develop and execute their own "out of this world" business idea and meet local entrepreneurs and loan officers. Participants will also enjoy summer camp activities such as outdoor sports and a special field trip!

Campers will host a Market Day on Friday, August 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Parents, friends, and community members are invited to attend, support the young entrepreneurs, and celebrate what they have accomplished throughout the camp.

Registration is open!
o in-person at the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre
o online at the following link: https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/kenora/home?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true
o or by calling 807-467-2087

Struggling to find qualified skilled workers to fill critical labour shortages? Unsure how immigration programs work?

Join us on May 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for an informative session on how economic immigration pathways can help address your workforce needs. Experts from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), the Association des francophones du Nord Ouest de l'Ontario (AFNOO), and Réseau du Nord will share key insights on immigration pathways to address skilled labour shortages and employer support through settlement services for Francophone skilled workers. An interactive Q&A session will follow.

RSVP Now: https://forms.gle/wg2qpQjidCQdmXNX6

From Data to Action: Navigating Northwestern Ontario’s Labour Market
Our latest labour market report highlights a clear reality:

👉 The workforce is changing — but not in the same way across the region.

From Thunder Bay’s growth, to Kenora’s emerging workforce potential, to Rainy River’s declining labour supply, the challenges — and solutions — are local.

So what does this mean for you, your organization, and your community?

Join us for an engaging webinar where we’ll:
· Start with a high-level overview of the latest labour market report
· Transition into a panel discussion with regional experts to unpack what the data looks like on the ground
· Open the floor for audience Q&A — giving you the chance to ask questions and share your perspective

This is your opportunity to navigate the labour market with both data and real-world insight — and connect with partners from across Northwestern Ontario.

Whether you’re an employer, service provider, or community partner, this conversation is designed for you.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, May 20 from2 PM - 3 PM EDT

Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-northwestern-ontarios-labour-market-tickets-1988904865994?aff=oddtdtcreator

Read the Report here:https://nw.employnext.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/LMI-Report-2026-NW-Final.pdf

Des données à l’action : naviguer le marché du travail du Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario

Notre plus récent rapport sur le marché du travail met en lumière une réalité claire:
👉 La main-d’œuvre est en train de changer — mais pas de la même façon partout dans la région.

De la croissance dans le district de Thunder Bay, au potentiel émergent de la main-d’œuvre dans le district de Kenora, jusqu’à la diminution de l’offre de travailleurs dans le district de Rainy River, les défis — et les solutions — sont locaux.

Alors, qu’est-ce que ça veut dire pour vous, votre organisation et votre communauté?
Joignez-vous à nous pour un webinaire dynamique où nous allons:
· Commencer avec un aperçu général des plus récents rapports sur le marché du travail
· Poursuivre avec une discussion en panel réunissant des experts régionaux pour décortiquer ce que les données veulent dire sur le terrain
· Ouvrir la discussion avec une période de questions-réponses — une occasion pour vous de poser vos questions et de partager votre point de vue

C’est votre chance de mieux comprendre le marché du travail en combinant données et réalités concrètes — et d’échanger avec des partenaires de partout dans le Nord-Ouest de l’Ontario.

Que vous soyez employeur, fournisseur de services ou partenaire communautaire, cette conversation est pour vous.

Inscrivez-vous ici: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-northwestern-ontarios-labour-market-tickets-1988904865994?aff=oddtdtcreator

Découvrez le rapport complet ici:https://nw.employnext.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/04/LMI-Report-2026-NW-Final.pdf

🎉Mayor and Council are proud to support the Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation with a $2,700 contribution through the City’s Conference and Corporate Events Grant for the North x North Summit.

Interested organizations are encouraged to email [email protected] to receive the application form. Applications will be accepted on a continuous intake basis, as funding permits.

The Conference and Corporate Events Grant is funded by the City of Kenora Municipal Accommodation Tax.