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 [...]
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 [...]
Timmins, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) welcomes the federal government’s decision to formally refer Canada Nickel’s Crawford Project to the Major Projects Office, recognizing its national significance and its potential to drive economic growth and clean-energy development in Northern Ontario. Located approximately 42 kilometres north of Timmins in the Abitibi Greenstone [...]
Echo Bay, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) welcomes the Ontario government’s new Pothole Prevention and Repair Program, which will provide $10 million to help smaller municipalities maintain safer and more reliable roads. “This new Pothole Prevention and Repair Program is welcome news for Northern Ontario communities,” said Dave Plourde, President of [...]
Gore Bay, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) acknowledges the Ontario government’s 2025 Fall Economic Statement, which highlights several important investments and initiatives that will directly benefit Northern communities. FONOM is encouraged by the Province’s commitment to balance its books by 2027-2028 while continuing to invest in key infrastructure and affordability measures. [...]
