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 national challenges — and they require national solutions.

Northern Ontario powers Canada’s economy through its highways, forests, mines, energy corridors, and workforce. But gaps in transportation, labour supply, community safety, and resource development threaten the region’s ability to contribute to Canada’s long-term prosperity.

Key Priorities

  1. Trans-Canada Highway (Highways 11 & 17)

The Trans-Canada is Canada’s only continuous east–west link — yet large sections in the North remain two-lane, unsafe, and frequently closed.
We are calling for:

  • Federal designation of Highways 11/17 as nationally significant.
  • A joint Northern Highways Secretariat.
  • A blended approach: four-laning where possible, and 2+1 designs where terrain makes twinning costly.
  • Immediate safety upgrades and renewed federal cost-sharing.
  1. Labour & Immigration for Rural/Northern Regions

Budget 2025 requires a larger workforce — but labour shortages in the North threaten housing, healthcare, construction, and clean-energy projects.
We are calling for:

  • A permanent, fully funded Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP).
  • Dedicated OINP allocations for Northern employers.
  • Integration of immigration with federal housing and infrastructure programs.
  • Investments in housing, childcare, and healthcare to support newcomer retention.

 

  1. Bail Reform & Community Safety

Communities face growing impacts of repeat offenders, mental health crises, and limited regional policing capacity.
We are calling for:

  • Full implementation of Bill C-14 with Northern resources attached.
  • Reform of surety rules to prevent repeat releases.
  • Updates to the Mental Health Act to allow graduated holds for individuals presenting repeated risk.
  • Creation of Transitional Withdrawal Management Centres across the North.
  • A Northern Community Safety & Prevention Fund.
  1. Natural Resources & Economic Growth

Northern Ontario’s minerals, forests, energy potential, and deep-water ports are critical to Canada’s economic and geopolitical future.
We are calling for:

  • A unified One Project, One Process permitting model.
  • Investments in transmission lines, energy access, LNG/CNG, and corridor development.
  • Action on softwood lumber tariffs impacting mills like KAP Paper and Ear Falls.
  • Support for value-added processing and strategic mineral projects.
  • Strong Indigenous partnerships across all development phases.
  1. Intergovernmental Collaboration — Team Canada Approach

Northern challenges cross jurisdictions and demand coordinated action.
We are calling for:

  • A permanent Northern Policy Table with all orders of government and Indigenous partners.
  • Annual federal–provincial–municipal summits on Northern development.
  • Integrated planning across housing, healthcare, mental health, economic growth, and workforce needs.
  • Stable national programs, protected from political cycles.

Conclusion

Northern Ontario is ready to lead — to build infrastructure, welcome workers, strengthen communities, and fuel Canada’s economic future. But partnership is essential. Investing in the North is investing in Canada’s national strength, security, and prosperity.

 

 When we build up Northern Ontario, we build up all of Ontario — and when we strengthen Ontario, we strengthen Canada.