Elected officials from northern Ontario intend to talk about the questions that impact their region during the northeast northeast conference of Ontario of the Federation of Municipalities in Northern Ontario (FONOM).
More than 250 municipal leaders in this part of the province meet in North Bay to discuss, among other things, electricity production and transport, road safety in the North or the problems of the homeless in the northeast.
We can talk about what we have in common. It’s really more tangible. You can have more sophisticated conversations compared to best practices. We are still there to learn from each other
explains the mayor of Timmins Michelle Boileau.
Housing crisis at the heart of debates
Ms. Boileau stresses that some of the themes that will be approached during the meeting touch it directly.
“It is certain that there is a housing crisis everywhere in the provinces, but especially in northern Ontario.[…] This is a very important issue for our communities because it is having an impact, ”she says.
Michelle Boileau is also concerned about road safety, one of the subjects on which elected officials will discuss.
It is very tragic what is happening on our highways in northern Ontario. We really have to get started with our partners at the provincial level.
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The mayor of Timmins, Michelle Boileau, thinks that fungal allows municipal elected officials to exchange their experiences.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Orpheus Moussongo
Jacques Dorval, the mayor of the locality of Opasatika is concerned about the establishment of new companies in his region.
Mr. Dorval would also like to find answers to the challenges of the housing crisis.
–The federal government and the provincial government ask us to try to build houses, meet the demand for housing. We are here to have answers to financing
he said.
We need funding, especially us, small municipalities, because funds are limited.
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Jacques Dorval, the mayor of the locality of Opasatika, hopes to have a constructive dialogue with ministers at Land.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Orpheus Moussongo
Face to face with ministers
The Annual Land Conference has on the program a forum of ministers, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7.
It is a space for direct dialogue between municipal officials and provincial ministers.
Mayor Jacques Dorval hopes for example have the chance to meet the minister of Rural Affairs and the Minister of North Development
for their present the projects on which he works
.
For his part, Paul Branconnier, the mayor of the locality of Saint-Charles, expects to have discussions on improving the quality of regional roads with ministers.
In the north, construction costs are enormously more expensive than in the South. It is unfair that we are forced to maintain and build as many roads
he explains.
Dave Plourde, the vice-president of Foneom and mayor of Kapusaking indicates that during this discussion There will be any questions from everyone in the room
.
For several people here in FONOM it will be their first chance of being able to discuss with a minister. It gives them an opportunity to talk about important things
he said.
The theme of this year of Fonemus is The next 100 years
.
He pays tribute to the centenary of North Bay, which will take place in 2025.
