Northern Ontario is Ontario’s Future

THUNDER BAY – “We are the future of Ontario,” stated Northern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) President Dave Canfield. Speaking to the Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference, Friday morning Canfield updated the delegates,

“Getting our communities up and running is critical,” added Canfield, sharing with the delegates that at the recent AMO meetings, that the provincial government is listening. “Premier Wynne was present for the entire hour,” added Canfield, explaining that was the first time that had happened”.

Energy remains a focus for NOMA.

Canfield explained that in talks with OPA, most of the time the elected officials, and communities are right. Getting the needed power in the region, not just for mining, but for forestry is important.

Infrastructure funding is a success for the north. There was $100 million announced in the budget.

Canfield explained that it might take a bit of time to get it going, but the groundwork has been done.

Forging a New Path – NAN Grand Chief Yesno

Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Grand Chief Harvey Yesno addressed the delegates.

One of the goals is building permanant infrastructure into our communities. The Grand Chief spoke on how high costs for transportation and food is impacting the region.

We need the tools, and we will do the job”, stated Grand Chief Yesno. “If we do it right it is a benefit for Northern Ontario and for Canada”.

NAN Says Far North Act a Problem

“We are talking about the same things,” stated the Grand Chief. “The Far North Act is unravelling,” commented Yesno, stating that the legislation is creating an impediment toward the kind of certainty we need”.

“We want to engage, for the whole region, and there is impediments”.

The Ring of Fire is a case noted by the Grand Chief. “The government is not dealing with the communities who will be impacted by the development’.

“You will hear more about this in the coming weeks,” shared the Grand Chief. “What happens in the North impacts all of us”.