The mayors of the north’s five largest cities are worried that the rising cost of electricity is making it harder for businesses to stay competitive. Mayor Steve Black of Timmins says rising power rates also affect seniors and people on fixed incomes. The mayors want the new energy minister to pay attention to this issue. The stalled Ring of Fire was also a big concern for the mayors. The mayors support creating an east-west route to get the chromite out of the James Bay lowlands.
But despite years of talks, the mayors say there’s been almost no progress to move the Ring of Fire forward. The mayors also want FedNor’s budget based on the ratio the feds use for similar programs in other parts of Canada which results in more money. The mayors were hosted by North Bay Mayor Al McDonald and included representation from Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Sudbury.