The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) extends its congratulations to Bill Mauro, the newest member of Premier Kathleen Wynne’s cabinet. Minister Mauro’s northern Ontario roots will help him to be an effective and active voice for northern Ontario within the Cabinet, as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased with the Government of Ontario’s recent announcement that it will move forward with the proposed changes to the Ontario Building Code to allow for wood frame building structures up to six storeys.

While the Ontario Government hopes Bill 83 will protect the ability of the public to participate in matters of public interest, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) knows activists will use it to amplify their baseless attacks on the forestry sector and cause permanent damage to the northern economy.

Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren is pleased with the Ministry of Natural Resources’ decision to continue to operate overnight camping facilities at Ivanhoe Park in the 2014 season, without the need of a municipal guarantee.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is concerned that the passing of Bill 83 would protect and encourage groups intent on making baseless and false claims, and remove any recourse against this destructive activity.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities had an opportunity to meet one on one with Premier Wynne and several Cabinet Ministers at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association/Ontario Good Roads Association (ROMA/OGRA) Combined Conference February 23-26, 2014 at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

Leaders from across the North attended the Northern Leaders’ Forum which brought provincial government officials, including the Premier, eight Cabinet Ministers and one Parliamentary Assistant to Timmins on December 6, 2013

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Board of Directors held its November 14, 2013 Board meeting in Little Current. President of FONOM, Alan Spacek, updated the Board on the current status of FONOM’s involvement with a number of key issues as well as projects to be undertaken moving into the New Year.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased to partner with Dan Lawrie Insurance Brokers Ltd. (DLIB) to offer their members a unique group benefits program opportunity. The FONOM program is ideal for small and medium sized municipalities up to 250 employees.

Northern Ontario municipalities are increasingly concerned about the lack of progress between environmental groups and the forestry sector in Northern Ontario, particularly as discussions elsewhere have led to agreements. The breakdown in talks has caused increased uncertainty for Ontario’s forestry sector, and the Province’s leadership is needed immediately to protect the viability of resource development in Ontario.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is pleased to host a meeting in conjunction with Nishnawbe Aski Nation on October 29, 2013 at the McIntyre Arena Auditorium in Timmins, Ontario.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities Board of Directors held its September 19, 2013 meeting in Sault Ste Marie, the host city for the 2014 annual FONOM conference. The Board addressed several topics.

Northern Ontario mayors are calling for an expanded renewal of the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement that will involve key stakeholders including local and provincial governments, First Nations communities, environmental groups and the forestry sector.

Late night ghost stories, roasted marshmallows over a crackling fire, and a canopy of all the stars in the universe… Ontarians are being called on to take advantage of Northern Ontario’s beautiful provincial parks this summer, or lose the opportunity forever.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities is preparing to launch a campaign designed to bring residents from across Ontario into a conversation about the importance of Ontario’s boreal forest to northern communities, Ontario’s economy and the environment. FONOM’s efforts come on the heels of another announcement from the eNGO community that threatens the work of the historical Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement.