Mayors and officials from northern Ontario’s five largest municipalities met in Sudbury on Nov. 6 to discuss issues affecting the region.
Officials say topics shared during the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) meeting included:
Advocating to the provincial government to declare intimate partner violence an epidemic in northern Ontario.
Ongoing housing and homelessness challenges and opportunities across the north, including next steps on the National Housing Accord. Continued advocacy to the provincial government for the funding of consumption and treatment services.
The desire for the federal Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program to become permanent once the pilot ends in February.
Funding options for the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) University to ensure its ongoing viability.
Advocating to the federal government to consider the unintended consequences associated with air passenger protection regulations that can impair economic development efforts and the sustainability of small regional airports.
NOLUM is comprised of the mayors of Greater Sudbury, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Timmins. Officials say the group regularly collaborates to discuss steps to improve quality of life in northern Ontario and advocate to higher levels of government on key issues.
“The opportunity to share solutions and ideas with our colleagues across the north is invaluable,” shared Mayor Michelle Boileau. “We are able to highlight the common issues each community is facing, and the work we need to do, together, to advocate for support and change.”