October 17, 2025 – Kapuskasing, Ontario - The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is deeply concerned by the announcement of an indefinite shutdown at the Ear Falls sawmill. The loss of this facility is not just a blow to one community—it’s a warning signal for all of Northern Ontario’s resource-based towns. For decades, [...]
Northern leaders commend collaboration to protect jobs, families, and regional stability KAPUSKASING / MARATHON, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) are expressing their sincere appreciation to the Government of Canada, Premier Doug Ford, and the Province of Ontario for their coordinated efforts to keep the [...]
October 4, 2025 – Parry Sound, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) held its Board of Directors meeting in Parry Sound on Friday, October 3rd, where the organization elected its new executive. Mayor Dave Plourde of Kapuskasing was acclaimed as President of FONOM, succeeding Danny Whalen, who was recognized for his 15 [...]
North Bay, ON – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is calling on both the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada to take immediate, coordinated action following Kap Paper’s announcement that it will begin an orderly idling of operations at its Kapuskasing facility. The decision to idle the mill, despite years of [...]
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) fully support today’s announcement by the Government of Ontario regarding investments in forest road infrastructure and the sawmill chip program. This commitment is an important step towards protecting a sector facing unprecedented challenges, including 35% softwood lumber duties, potential Section 232 [...]
September 18, 2025 - The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) are urgently calling on the Government of Canada to take immediate action to safeguard Northern Ontario’s forestry sector. Without intervention, the organizations warn that Canada’s national housing strategy will be derailed. In a joint letter to Prime [...]
Temiskaming Shores, ON – September 6, 2025 – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is encouraged by recent comments from Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford signalling that reforms to Canada’s bail system may be on the horizon. “Our members and police services have long raised concerns about the revolving-door justice system [...]
Temiskaming Shores, ON – September 5, 2025 – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is urging Premier Doug Ford to include the twinning and 2+1 model for Highways 11 and 17 in Ontario’s submission to the Federal Government’s Major Projects Office (MPO) list. This project represents a critical investment in safety, connectivity, and economic [...]
Temiskaming Shores, ON — August 22, 2025 – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is urging the Governments of Canada and Ontario to modernize the Trans-Canada Highway (Highways 11 and 17) across Northern Ontario and designate it as a nation-building project under the Building Canada Act. Unlike the four-lane commercial routes in other provinces, [...]
Northeastern Ontario Communities Face Unjust Economic Hit with 35.19% Duties Temiskaming Shores, ON - August 10, 2025 - The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is voicing strong opposition to the United States Department of Commerce’s decision to raise countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber to 35.19%. This sharp increase will deal a serious blow [...]
