The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference this past weekend. FONOM met with Liberal cabinet members to address several issues, including energy and ensuring Ontario Northland is considered a prominent partner within the Province’s transportation plans. FONOM also raised concerns that energy costs have become unaffordable for residents, industry and municipalities in the North.
Other issues discussed at the conference include railway rights-of-way property taxation, the non-urgent patient transfer system, the delivery of emergency services, and others were discussed. FONOM also met with members of the PC Caucus and NDP Caucus, as well as the Ontario Medical Association. Delegates also attended sessions and workshops on several topics like community partnerships, active transportation planning, and water and wastewater innovation.
FONOM President Al Spacek says conferences like ROMA let them meet with Ministers and MPPs to raise new issues and outstanding issues they believe haven’t been appropriately addressed. Spacek finished by saying they received positive feedback overall, and will hold the government to their commitments.