ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT:
COCHRANE DISTRICT SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL/
CONSEIL DE PLANIFICATION SOCIALE DE DISTRICT DE COCHRANE

MEDIA RELEASE

The Cochrane District Social Planning Council Interim Coordinating Committee (ICC) is pleased to host a media event to announce funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation on December 2nd from 2pm to 3pm in the boardroom of the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board. This grant will support the establishment of a social planning entity for the Cochrane District.

"The creation of a district social planning council will be very beneficial because of its focus as a regional entity that will benefit every municipality in Cochrane District. The ICC should be highly commended for their efforts." Says Mayor Mike Milinkovich (Township of Black River-Matheson).

The ICC has been working with the Social Planning Network of Ontario and the Sudbury Social Planning Council to increase capacity in our region for sound social planning.  The Cochrane District Social Planning Council (CDSPC) is the first of its kind in the region and promises to provide a collaborative and regional approach to social development.   The CDSPC will ensure effective research, planning, and regional policy development that will complement and strengthen community and economic development in the Highway 11 corridor.

"By creating an inclusive and regional voice for the needs of the Highway 11 corridor, you are meaningfully addressing the unique concerns of our community," said MPP for Timmins - James Bay, Gilles Bisson. "I am tremendously proud that these community groups have come together, with a common vision and goal, to make a positive and lasting impact on the Timmins area."

Representing a community reference group comprised of all sectors including health, education, social services, not-for-profit, training, and Francophone and Aboriginal populations, the ICC was created to establish a structured entity to carry out coordinated, productive social planning for the Cochrane District.
 
"The funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation is welcomed and will assist with this innovative project for a collaborated approach to social planning to serve our entire region," said Mayor Alan Spacek (Town of Kapuskasing). "This is the first for our area and working together with all sectors participating will be of immense benefit."

The ICC thanks the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its support of this project. The ICC also thanks the larger reference group made up of many community and economic groups.  Members of the ICC include the Cochrane District Social Services Administration Board, the City of Timmins, the Venture Centre/Le centre de développement, the Timmins Economic Development Corporation, the Far North East Training Board, the Porcupine Health Unit, the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, the Porcupine United Way, and community members.

For more information, please contact Lynn Despatie at The Venture Centre 705-360-5800 extension 226 or email lynn.despatie@venturecentre.on.ca.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario

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MEDIA CONTACT

Lynn Despatie
The Venture Centre
705-360-5800 x226
lynn.despatie@venturecentre.ca

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Regional Coordinator for the Cochrane District Social Planning Council