252 A structured baseline of sustainability performance was established by systematically mapping the OECD report for Northern Ontario against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and their associated targets. This process translates regionspecific evidence into a globally comparable sustainability framework, thereby providing a foundation for evaluating mining-related development. The SDG mapping table was constructed using a three-layer analytical structure. First, relevant OECD evidence, both quantitative and qualitative, was extracted to represent regional conditions. Second, this evidence was aligned with specific SDG targets, such as SDG 6.1 for safe drinking water and SDG 8.5 for employment, to ensure consistency with the UN framework (City of Greater Sudbury, 2020). Third, each SDG was evaluated using a directional ranking system, specifically a four-arrow approach (Figure 1), to indicate relative performance and distinguish between strengths and areas facing moderate to significant challenges (Table 2). The results indicate a mixed sustainability profile, consistent with the “prosperity paradox” identified in the OECD report. Northern Ontario exhibits relative strengths in education (SDG 4), economic activity (SDG 8), and environmental restoration (SDG 15). However, critical challenges remain in water access (SDG 6), food security (SDG 2), and inequality affecting First Nations communities (SDG 10). Additionally, SDGs related to innovation (SDG 9) and community infrastructure (SDG 11) show mixed performance, underscoring structural limitations in converting regional assets into diversified, long-term development outcomes. The mapping shows that many SDGs are not performing at desired levels and require targeted, coordinated intervention. To complement the indicator-level assessment, a Sankey diagram was created to offer a systems-based view of the OECD framework (Figure 2). This diagram connects key regional challenges to corresponding policy recommendations and their associated SDG outcomes. The visualisation shows that sustainability outcomes arise from interconnected pathways, in which individual interventions contribute to multiple SDGs. Governance-related dimensions, including inclusion, coordination, and partnerships, emerge as vital mechanisms affecting economic, social, and environmental performance. The table and Sankey analysis highlight a fundamental issue. Despite strong resource endowments and localized successes, the region lacks a coherent, integrated approach to convert these advantages into balanced, sustained progress across the SDGs. As a result, outcomes remain fragmented, and improvements in one dimension, such as economic growth, do not necessarily lead to gains in others, including equity, innovation, or environmental quality. This finding underscores the need for a comprehensive, systems-based approach to align regional development strategies with long-term sustainability objectives. Specifically, a framework is required that not only uses SDGs as evaluation metrics but also integrates them into decisionmaking processes. Such a framework should empower local communities, foster institutional coordination, and promote a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy responsive to market needs.
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