DRYDEN – The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is reaffirming its opposition to Bill 191, The Far North Act. Anne Krassilowsky, NOMA President says, “NOMA is extremely concerned about The Far North Act and its potential negative impact on our region. The legislation, which will remove 50% of the land mass of the Far North from future economic development opportunities, sets prescribed limits that are not based on science and was developed with limited consultation with northerners.”
Knowledgeable and rational concerns have been raised about this legislation by First Nations, municipalities, prospectors, foresters, and business associations and these concerns need to be addressed.
“We are very supportive of proper planning throughout the far north, but that must not include an arbitrary setting aside of half of the land, which thereby also limits the potential economic benefit to Northerners to only 50%,” said Krassilowsky. “We continue to request that the Government take a step back – to withdraw the current legislation and instead work with First Nations, municipalities, business and industry to draft an Act that will ensure an appropriate balance between economic opportunity and land protection. In particular, we join with other Northern leaders in asking the government to listen to Northerners.”
NOMA represents the interests of municipalities from the City of Kenora in the west to the Township of Wawa in the east. It provides leadership in advocating regional interests to all orders of government and other organizations.