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.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is once again calling on the Wynne government to halt the divestment of the ONTC. FONOM is increasingly concerned that while the Wynne government is prepared to engage in a dialogue, no commitment to pausing the process during that dialogue has been made.

Alan Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing, and President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), spoke very positively about the 53rd FONOM Annual General Meeting. The meeting was held at the beautiful Charles W. Stockey Centre in Parry Sound.

Alan Spacek, Mayor of Kapuskasing, and President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), expressed his satisfaction with a high level meeting held with Premier Kathleen Wynne and Cabinet Members Zimmer, Orazetti, Gravelle, Jeffrey, Murray and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, Bob Delaney Monday at the Ontario Good Roads/Rural Ontario Municipal Association Annual Meeting.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is happy to welcome new Premier Kathleen Wynne’s freshly appointed Cabinet, and is optimistic about the possibility for a renewed relationship between the Province and northern Ontario.

Mayor Alan Spacek of Kapuskasing and President of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) joined forces with other municipal and trade organizations to support the provincial government’s newly proposed regulation under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the forest sector. Spacek explained “As part of the 2012 Budget Bill, the Liberal government proposed amendments to the ESA that would allow them to implement the legislation in a more practical manner, and that would remove redundant and unnecessary process.

Some Ontario Liberal Leadership candidates have committed to reconsidering the Government’s policy on issues affecting northern Ontario as they seek to broaden their support prior to the leadership convention.

The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is disappointed that the province’s Liberal leadership candidates will not attend a second debate in Northern Ontario. Such a debate could help to address crucial issues for the region – including the government’s decision to divest from Ontario Northern Transportation Commission (ONTC) – which were surprisingly overlooked in last week’s Thunder Bay debate.