No Poverty
Lakehead University’s campuses are located in regions in which the median income is below the provincial and national average. As one of the largest employers, post-secondary institutions and economic hubs in Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County, Lakehead University has a direct impact on the economic and social resiliency in the regions it serves.
Our societal impact focuses on our research on poverty and support for impoverished students and marginalized members of our local community.
University Anti-Poverty Programmes
1.3.1 Bottom financial quintile admission target
The average household income and educational attainment rates in regions served by Lakehead University fall below the provincial average. According to Statistics Canada, the national statistical agency of Canada, the 2021 Census indicates that 18.6% of the population in Simcoe County and 20.6% in the District of Thunder Bay hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 41.1% in Toronto and 29.9% across Ontario.
As an access institution serving Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County, we are committed to admitting students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income , reflecting the demographics and diverse regions we serve.
Lakehead's Strategic Plan further articulates these commitments by including strategies focused on improved access to postsecondary education. Regular updates are provided to the University’s Board of Governors, with measurement of progress focusing on “increasing participation rate in Simcoe County and Northwestern Ontario" (Metric 9) and "increasing Indigenous student enrolment" (Metric 10).
Metric 9 - Participation rate for residents of Simcoe County and Northwestern Ontario measures applicants from Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County regions where university attainment is below provincial and national averages, as shown below. This focus is tied directly to the Strategic Plan’s commitment to “support efforts to increase regional degree attainment rates and develop future changemakers by making high-quality degree-level programming, professional development and lifelong learning opportunities more accessible for students and alumni from all backgrounds”.
| Year | Period | Ontario Participation Rate | Simcoe County Participation | Northwest Ontario Participation | Progress Towards Target |
| 2018/19 | 2017 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2018-19 | 4.50% | 3.10% | 2.35% | - |
| 2019/20 | 2018 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2019-20 | 4.50% | 3.02% | 2.39% | Moving toward target |
| 2020/21 | 2019 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2020-21 | 4.64% | 3.29% | 2.22% | Moving toward target |
| 2021/22 | 2020 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2021-22 | 4.58% | 3.21% | 2.04% | Moving toward target |
| 2022/23 | 2021 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2022-23 | 4.65% | 3.37% | 2.26% | Achieved target |
| 2023/24 | 2022 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2023-24 | 4.61% | 3.43% | 2.02% | Achieved target |
| 2024/25 | 2023 OUAC Applicants for Study in 2024-25 | 4.70% | 3.57% | 2.12% | Achieved target |
Through Metric 10 (shown below), Lakehead University tracks Indigenous student enrolment at both the baccalaureate and graduate levels, based on self-identification. This aligns with the Strategic Plan’s theme of Expanding Student Opportunity and Success, which commits to “widen university participation and degree attainment at all levels of study while maintaining exemplary academic standards” and to “establish Lakehead as a regional education centre for Indigenous learners in Northern Ontario”. This target reflects Lakehead’s focus on removing barriers for Indigenous peoples, who are deeply impacted by the legacy of colonialism, residential schools and systematic marginalization.
| Year | Self-Identified Indigenous Students | % (Actual) | Progress Towards Target |
| 2017/18 | 1017 | 14.3% | - |
| 2018/19 | 1079 | 15.1% | Achieved target |
| 2019/20 | 1063 | 15.2% | Achieved target |
| 2020/21 | 948 | 13.5% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2021/22 | 922 | 13.0% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2022/23 | 882 | 12.4% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2023/24 | 860 | 12.1% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2024/25 | 928 | 12.4% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
Lakehead University also offers a Youth in Care Tuition Waiver, which provides former or current youth in the care of a child welfare society the opportunity to apply for a tuition waiver to financially support their university education. Annually, two students will be financially supported with the full cost of tuition and fees, covered for the full 4 years of a direct-entry undergraduate program.
Through our admissions policies, outreach initiatives, and support programs, Lakehead University is committed to increasing enrolment among students from the bottom 20% of household income earners in Canada.
1.3.2 Bottom financial quintile student success
Does your university as a body have graduation/completion targets for students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group (or a more tightly defined target) in the country? (Domestic)
The average household income and educational attainment rates in regions served by Lakehead University fall below the provincial average. According to Statistics Canada, the national statistical agency of Canada, the 2021 Census indicates 18.6% of the population in Simcoe County and 20.6% in the District of Thunder Bay hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 41.1% in Toronto and 29.9% across Ontario.
As an access institution serving Northwestern Ontario and Simcoe County, we are committed to student success and credential completion for those who fall into the bottom 20% of household income groups, reflecting the demographics and diverse regions we serve.
Lakehead’s commitment to “increase the six-year graduation rate” is embedded in our Strategic Plan under the theme of “Expanding Student Opportunity and Success” and is publicly reported each year as shown below.
Progress against this target is tracked through various accountability mechanisms, including the Board of Governors, the Common University Data Ontario site, and the University’s multi-year accountability agreement with the Government of Ontario. This reflects a clear institutional priority to support student success and degree attainment across all populations, including those who may come from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds. Progress towards this target is shown below.
| Year | Graduation Rate (6-year) | Progress Towards Target |
| 2017/18 | 61.8% | - |
| 2018/19 | 62.9% | Achieved target |
| 2019/20 | 66.9% | Achieved target |
| 2020/21 | 64.5% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2021/22 | 65.7% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2022/23 | 64.5% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2023/24 | 65.1% | Positive trend (impacted by COVID-19) |
| 2024/25 | 61.7% | Impacted by COVID-19 |
Through a range of anti-poverty programs, Lakehead University supports student success initiatives including: Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships & Awards, Indigenous Student Bursaries and Scholarships, the Achievement Program (outlined below), Senior Tuition Waivers, Youth-in-Care Tuition Waivers, the Lakehead University Work Study Program, and Student Success Centre.
Achievement Program:
Through partnerships with local and regional school boards, Lakehead University’s Achievement Program was established to address the educational barriers faced by elementary school students from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds who aspire and show potential to pursue post-secondary education. In 2023–24, the Achievement Program supported 377 students who face socioeconomic barriers to postsecondary education.
By actively participating in the Achievement Program until their final year of high school, students become eligible for financial assistance. This financial support covers the costs associated with their first year of university tuition in any undergraduate program, removing one of the significant financial obstacles that often hinder their access to higher education. The program extends beyond financial aid, offering mentorship, guidance, and resources to empower students and foster their academic success.
The Achievement Program at Lakehead University plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of socioeconomic barriers that limit educational opportunities for deserving students.
1.3.3 Low-income student support
Does your university as a body provide support (e.g. food, housing, transportation, legal services) for students from low income families to enable them to complete university?
Over 95% of Lakehead University students face barriers to accessing post-secondary education. The Student Success Centre has developed a comprehensive suite of services and supports for all students, such as health and wellness, academic advising and financial literacy services to enable them to complete university. These support systems prioritize low-income students, but are available to all students at Lakehead University.
Lakehead’s commitment to remove barriers and support students from low-income families is operationalized through the following support programs.
The Universal Bus Pass (uPass), is a subsidized bus pass provided to Lakehead University students at both the Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses through the Lakehead University Student Union. This pass provides unlimited access to public transportation and is available to all students.
The Community Legal Services Clinic offers free legal services to low-income students and residents under the direct supervision of lawyers by student caseworkers from Lakehead’s Faculty of Law.
Lakehead’s Faculty of Law is also a member of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), a national pro bono organization where law students provide hours of free legal information and services to organizations, courts, and tribunals across the country. Through PBSC, law student volunteers are given an opportunity to enhance their legal skills by providing free legal services to individuals and communities facing barriers to justice in Canada.
Nanabijou Child Care Centre is located on the Lakehead Thunder Bay campus and provides childcare for children ranging from infancy to school age. This service is available to students to help them balance their academic responsibilities and childcare needs.
Lakehead also has an active Food Resource Centre & Food Bank that is run by students and funded through support from the University and the local community. The Centre provides free food, including non-perishables and fresh food, access to a community kitchen space, and garden space to grow fresh fruit and vegetables to students in need across Lakehead’s campuses. In addition, Lakehead has started a Fresh Market, which is an initiative designed to make affordable, fresh produce accessible to students, staff, and faculty. In 2023–24, the Food Resource Centre assisted an average of 200 students each month.
The Lakehead Student Union also provides students and their families with access to reliable and affordable medical insurance coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision, travel and accident insurance and extended health practitioners. More information about the plan and its coverage can be found here: Health and Dental Plan.
In 2024-2025, Lakehead University developed a Student Housing Policy to ensure students have easy-to-access information on student housing services, supports, and resources. Lakehead University is committed to guaranteeing on-campus housing for first-year domestic and international students who apply by the annual deadlines. Lakehead also maintains a dedicated student housing website that provides information and guidance to students on housing issues. The website features resources and contact information for the University's support services.
1.3.4 Bottom financial quintile student support
Does your university as a body have programmes to assist students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group (or a more tightly defined target) in the country to successfully complete their studies?
Indigenous people in Canada, deeply impacted by the legacy of colonialism, residential schools and systematic marginalization, may experience high levels of poverty or face numerous obstacles that could impede their access to attend university.
In 2023-24, 9.3% of Lakehead's student population self-identified as Indigenous. Furthermore, 46% of the student population originates from rural, Northern, and remote communities, often with lower socioeconomic status. Lakehead University's Indigenous Student Services Centre is a resource to help Indigenous students achieve academic success through services including: Indigenous student mentorship, academic support, cultural activities, elder-in-residence, Sweat Lodge, and financial support. These cultural supports and resources are also available to non-Indigenous students.
Over 95% of Lakehead University's domestic undergraduate student population face barriers to entry, including originating from a community below the national average household income, and/or qualifying for financial aid based on need. Lakehead supports these students through a series of programs, including academic advising, academic preparedness workshops, financial aid through scholarships and bursaries, health and wellness resources, as well as financial literacy and budgeting supports. In 2023–24, 43% of domestic undergraduate students at Lakehead receive financial aid.
1.3.5 Bottom financial quintile student support
Does your university as a body have schemes to support poor students from low income countries (e.g. offering free education, grants)?
Lakehead University offers various programs and resources to help international students from low-income countries finance their education. Lakehead University is an institutional partner of the World University Services of Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, which provides support to young refugees pursuing higher education in Canada. This program is unique in its direct link to post-secondary education and involves collaboration with local campus-based committees and student unions to raise funds and awareness for the program on their campus and in their community. Lakehead University, the Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU) and the WUSC Local Committee actively support the Student Refugee Program. Together with committed students and community volunteers, these groups work diligently to raise funds, provide support and create a welcoming environment for sponsored refugee students. Lakehead aims to sponsor at least one refugee student per year through the WUSC program. International students, including those from low-income countries, can also access a comprehensive range of support services, workshops and resources to assist students studying and adjusting to life in Canada through the International Student Services team, including:
- Financial aid and work-study opportunities
- Academic advising and transition support
- Immigration and visa support
- Mental health and wellness services
Further information can be found here.
Community Anti-Poverty Programmes
1.4.1 Local start-up assistance
Does your university as a body provide assistance in the local community supporting the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses through relevant education or resources? (e.g. mentorship programmes, training workshops, access to university facilities)?
Lakehead University is committed to fostering sustainable business development within the local community by offering a range of both free and paid programming. Central to these initiatives is Ingenuity, the university’s business incubator, which guides startup ideas from their inception into fully developed innovations.
Ingenuity provides an array of resources, many of which are available at no cost, to aspiring entrepreneurs at both Lakehead University campuses. These resources encompass mentorship programs, business start-up support, legal aid, makerspaces, and workshops. Ingenuity has also established partnerships with various local organizations extending both paid and free resources to entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.
Ingenuity also partners with Thunder Bay Ventures and other community businesses annually to support various entrepreneurship competitions, such as Enter the Den (ETD). Enter the Den is a business plan competition for Thunder Bay students in Grades 7 through 12. The competition includes cash prizes to support business ideas that have been well researched, well presented, and well defended. This competition offers encouragement and supports students on writing the business plan, marketing do's and don'ts, presentation skills and more.
Pitch It is an annual competition hosted by Lakehead University Ingenuity that gives students the opportunity to present their business ideas and receive valuable feedback. The winners of the competition win cash to help grow their business idea.
1.4.2 Local start-up financial assistance
Does your university as a body provide financial assistance to the local community assisting the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses?
Lakehead University’s business incubator, Ingenuity, hosts the Ingenuity Ascend Accelerator program is a free, 10-week program for entrepreneurially-minded learners and alumni of Lakehead University looking to transition an idea into a business opportunity or accelerate the growth and development of their early-stage start-up. The Ingenuity Accelerator program will accept up to four business teams per cohort and deliver up to $5000 per business idea for costs associated with business development.
The cohort from 2023-24 included four student-led start-up businesses, from augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) software development to sustainability consulting services, and Airbnb cleaning solutions.
In 2024-25, six student-led start-ups completed the Ingenuity Ascend Accelerator program. The latest cohort features ventures from sectors ranging from artificial intelligence and agriculture to construction technology and wellness. Student Tony Braxton Tchio Ngoumeza developed GreenShade, a smart agriculture platform that uses machine learning to help farmers make better decisions. The system provides tailored recommendations to improve crop yields and reduce inputs like water and fertilizer. More details on student projects can be found here.
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Research (CIER) is a Research Centre at Lakehead University that promotes and supports research on innovation and entrepreneurship at Lakehead University. This Centre facilitates interdisciplinary research partnerships and funding to support innovation and entrepreneurship projects.
1.4.3 Programmes for services access
Does your university as a body organise training or programmes to improve access to basic services for all?
Lakehead University organizes training and programs to improve access to essential services for students, staff and the broader community. These initiatives address essential needs to basic services such as food security, health and wellness, legal services, financial literacy and community supports.
Lakehead University Psychology Clinic offers training for master’s and doctoral students in clinical psychology and provides high-quality psychological services in-person and virtually throughout Northwestern Ontario. The clinic’s services include individual, couples, and group-based psychotherapy, psychodiagnostic assessments, psychoeducational/ learning assessments and workshops. The Lakehead University Psychology Clinic is able to offer those providing health and social services no-cost individual and group-based psychological support.
Community Legal Services Clinic offers free legal services to low-income students and residents under the direct supervision of lawyers by student caseworkers from Lakehead’s Faculty of Law. The Community Legal Services Clinic offers assistance in the following areas: criminal offences, provincial and traffic offences, tenant rights, civil disputes/small claims, employment law and public legal education.
Lakehead University is also a member of Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC), where law students provide hours of free legal information and services to organizations, courts, and tribunals across the country. The Lakehead Chapter is run through Lakehead’s Faculty of Law. Through PBSC, law student volunteers are given an opportunity to enhance their legal skills by providing free legal services to individuals and communities facing barriers to justice in Canada.
Compass North is an initiative led by students, aimed at addressing the unmet health needs of underserved populations in Thunder Bay. This student-led clinic provides essential health services and conducts research in collaboration with registered health professionals from Lakehead University, NOSM University and community organizations. Their projects include various health promotion workshops on a wide range of topics including mental health, diabetes management, healthy eating and oral health. These workshops aim to empower individuals with valuable knowledge and skills to improve their overall well-being.
Living Works Start is a 90-minute e-learning program that teaches learners to recognize when someone is thinking about suicide and steps to connect them to help. Participants learn a powerful four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide, and have hands-on, practical simulation experiences. Safety resources and support are available throughout the program. This program is open to Lakehead University staff, students and faculty members.
Reset Sleep is a self-paced course designed to help Lakehead students, staff, and faculty build healthier sleep habits and achieve more restful nights. Through self-paced modules, you'll learn about the science of sleep, how your routines and environment affect rest, and practical strategies to improve sleep quality. This program is adapted from Stanford University's Refresh Sleep course and has been tailored to meet the needs of our university community.
WellU Resilience is a Student Health and Wellness Centre initiative which provides self-serve learning opportunities to support student well-being. It is an 8-week, evidence-based course that helps students learn to manage stress in healthy ways. The course features videos, slideshows, skill-building activities, resources and information to help students build resilience. Each week, participants will learn about and practice a habit/skill that has been proven to increase life satisfaction, happiness and resilience, which all correlate with success and improved academic performance.
1.4.4 Policy addressing poverty
Does your university as a body participate in policy making at local, regional, national and/or global level to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions?
| Local |
Working Together to End Poverty and Hunger
Dr. Charles Levkoe, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Food Systems at Lakehead University, leads research that tackles the root causes of poverty and hunger by focusing on systemic change rather than short-term solutions. He emphasizes that food insecurity is not only the result of insufficient food, but by structural inequities within industrial food systems, employment and environmental degradation. In 2023-24, Dr. Levkoe’s research through local collaborations with students, Indigenous communities and public institutions aims to build long-term, community-led solutions that give people control over the systems that affect their well-being. More information about this work can be found here.
| Regional |
Assisting Underserved Populations in Receiving Palliative Care Services
In 2023-2024, Dr. Lynn Martin, Professor in the Department of Health Sciences, in collaboration with Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier, led a project that will improve access to and facilitate systems change for palliative care among underserved populations. The project intends to support policy change in healthcare that serves older adults, people with disabilities, linguistic minorities, and those in remote areas. This work aligns with Canada's Action Plan on Palliative Care and contributes to regional policy that supports equitable healthcare access through quality data collection and research. More information on this work can be found here.
| National |
Building a better, stronger home
In 2023 - 2024, Dr. Ahmed Elshaer, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, leads the Structural and Wind Engineering Research Laboratory in developing modular housing for Indigenous communities facing extreme climates, overcrowding, and housing insecurity. With a five-year grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the project aims to develop a full-scale prototype that will combat housing insecurity and alleviate living conditions across the nation. This project further contributes to national policy targeting poverty reduction through innovative housing development. More information on this project can be found here.
| Global |
Global Partnerships for Poverty Reduction and Food Sovereignty
In 2023-2024, community-based research led by Dr. Martha Dowsley, Associate Professor in Anthropology, Geography and the Environment, is informing global policy and practice to support poverty reduction. In partnership with Lac Seul First Nation (LSFN), Dr. Dowsley's research explores the economic and cultural impacts caused by traditional flooding that affects Indigenous communities in Northwestern Ontario and Nubian communities in Egypt. Educational resources such as illustrated books and films created will concentrate on community resilience and food system recovery to impact food sovereignty. More information on this project can be found here.