On March 20, 2019, Dr. Ryan Gibson and Ashleigh Weeden (PhD Student & Research Assistant, University of Guelph) joined Gemma Mendez-Smith (Executive Director, Four County Labour Market Planning Board) and Patrick Jilesen (Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture) to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the current labour market in Western Ontario. Hosted by the Town of Saugeen Shores [1], the event focused on the specific challenges facing the fastest growing community in the region, which has also been named one of the best places to live in Canada. The panel shared insights and ideas with a sold-out crow of approximately 100 attendees from the local business community, local governments, and regional economic development organizations.

The event was widely covered by regional media, including CTV London [2], the Owen Sound Sun Times [3] and Bayshore Broadcasting [4].

Social media highlights about the event can be found through the hashtag #SSWorkingTogether and more information can be found at http://saugeenshores.ca/LabourShortage [5]

Above:  Panel discussion, Town of Saugeen Shores.