Municipal leaders bring Northern concerns directly to provincial and federal decision-makers

OTTAWA, ON— August 19, 2026 – The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) used the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference to advance several priorities affecting communities across Northeastern Ontario.
Throughout the conference, FONOM representatives met with provincial ministers, parliamentary assistants and federal officials to discuss Northern highways, policing costs, housing and infrastructure, homelessness, mental health and addictions, and health care.
FONOM President Dave Plourde met with Jennifer McKelvie, Parliamentary Secretary to the federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure. The discussion focused on ensuring the National Housing Strategy and other federal programs reflect the needs of small, rural, Northern and remote municipalities.
The meeting also addressed:
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The housing and infrastructure pressures facing growing Northern communities;
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The need to modernize Highways 11 and 17 to support public safety, housing and economic growth;
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The impacts of homelessness, mental health and addictions on municipal services and local housing needs; and
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Rebuilding communities affected by wildfires while creating more climate-resilient housing and infrastructure.
“Northern communities need housing and infrastructure programs designed around the realities of the North,” said Dave Plourde, President of FONOM. “Our smaller populations, large geographic areas, limited tax bases and growing resource economy create very different pressures. We appreciated the opportunity to bring those realities directly to the federal government and look forward to continuing our work with Parliamentary Secretary McKelvie.”
FONOM also met with Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth George Pirie and Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products to discuss highway safety and the importance of Northern Ontario’s transportation network.
During the meeting, FONOM received an update on the Province’s $770-million investment in Northern highways this year. The discussion also explored how FONOM and the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association can encourage the federal government to match Ontario’s investment in Northern highways.
“Highways 11 and 17 are vital national transportation corridors that connect our communities and support mining, forestry, manufacturing and trade,” Plourde said. “Ontario’s investment is significant, but making these highways safer and more reliable cannot be the responsibility of the Province alone. The federal government must recognize their national importance and become a full funding partner.”
FONOM met with Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to continue advocating for a dedicated Northern Ontario policing grant. Municipalities across the North face policing costs that place considerable pressure on local property taxpayers and reduce the funding available for other essential services and infrastructure.
FONOM representatives also met with Anthony Leardi, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health, to discuss the organization’s proposal for a Compassionate Intervention framework. FONOM is advocating for carefully defined changes to Ontario’s Mental Health Act that would allow for short-term assessment, stabilization and treatment in the most serious cases involving substance use, while including strong medical, legal and individual safeguards.
“Northern municipalities are dealing with increasingly complex pressures, but we also brought practical solutions to the conference,” said Maggie Horsfield, First Vice-President of FONOM and Deputy Mayor of North Bay. “Whether the issue is policing, highway safety, housing or addictions, municipalities cannot address these challenges on their own. The meetings at AMO allowed us to speak directly with decision-makers and reinforce the need for programs that recognize Northern circumstances.”
FONOM welcomed several investments announced during the conference, including the new $1-billion Canada-Ontario funding stream for municipalities that do not levy development charges. The program will support housing-enabling infrastructure such as roads, bridges and water systems, with applications scheduled to open October 29, 2026.
The Province also announced additional investments in community sport and recreation infrastructure, primary care teams, land ambulance services and public health.
In addition to formal meetings, FONOM hosted the Northern Ontario Hospitality Suite, providing Northern municipal leaders with an opportunity to speak informally with more than 16 provincial ministers while showcasing Northern Ontario food, beverages and hospitality.
“The Hospitality Suite gives Northern municipal leaders a unique opportunity to build relationships and have direct, informal conversations with provincial decision-makers,” Horsfield added. “We thank our partners for helping FONOM host the event and everyone who joined us to experience some genuine Northern hospitality.”

FONOM will continue working with its municipal members, the Province, the federal government, AMO and other Northern organizations to advance practical solutions for Northern Ontario.