March 8, 2026 – Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is expressing deep concern and growing frustration following another fatal collision on Northern Ontario’s highway system. On March 7, a serious collision near Smooth Rock Falls involving four tractor-trailers and a passenger vehicle claimed the life of a Kapuskasing resident, [...]
Toronto, ON — The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is in Toronto this week for the ROMA Conference, following a full-day Board of Directors meeting held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, in Toronto. The FONOM Board meeting set the stage for a focused and coordinated advocacy effort at ROMA, with resolutions and policy positions [...]
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is raising renewed concern after new provincial data show homelessness is growing fastest—and most severely—in Northern Ontario, outpacing the capacity of local systems and communities to respond. New figures released today by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) show that more than 85,000 Ontarians experienced homelessness in [...]
SOUTH RIVER, ON — The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased to welcome the arrival of the first of three new Ontario Northlander trainsets, marking a major milestone in the restoration of passenger rail service between Timmins and Toronto. Since the Northlander service was cancelled in 2012, FONOM has consistently advocated for its [...]
Professor Suzanne Mills presented her report, Shifting Grounds: Understanding Recent Interregional Migration to the Maritimes and Northern Ontario, to the Board. She thanked FONOM for its assistance in connecting her with participants in Northeastern Ontario. She outlined how longstanding patterns of internal migration toward major urban centres shifted during the COVID-19 period, with increased movement [...]
Hearst, ON – December 6, 2025 – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) held its final Board meeting of 2025 in Hearst, Ontario, bringing together municipal leaders to discuss issues and priorities affecting communities across Northern Ontario. The meeting included the presentation of the first President’s Report by newly elected President Dave Plourde, who [...]
Thunder Bay, ON / North Bay, ON — December 3, 2025 — The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) have concluded two highly productive days of meetings on Parliament Hill as part of Northern Ontario Hill Days, a coordinated advocacy mission that brought municipal leaders directly to federal [...]
OTTAWA, ON - The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) are expressing deep concern following Algoma Steel’s announcement of 1,000 layoff notices—an immeasurable blow to workers, families, and the community of Sault Ste. Marie. “This is a difficult and uncertain moment for workers, their loved ones, and the [...]
Meetings with the Government of Canada — Dec. 1–2, 2025 Presidents Dave Plourde (FONOM) and Rick Dumas (NOMA) are leading delegations in Ottawa as we meet with federal ministers and officials to advance the priorities of more than 140 municipalities across Northern and Northwestern Ontario. Our message is clear: the challenges facing the North are [...]
Northeastern Ontario – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) welcomes today’s announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney outlining new federal measures to support Canada’s steel and softwood lumber industries, which continue to face unprecedented challenges due to aggressive U.S. tariff actions. The federal plan includes strengthened protections for domestic producers, expanded financial supports for [...]
