Rising energy costs, the Municipal Property Assessment Commission (MPAC), the Ring of Fire, and increasing funds to FedNor were among the issues discussed during the June 15 meeting of the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM).
The mayors of Northern Ontario’s five largest cities met in North Bay on June 15 to discuss the region’s priorities. Mayors in attendance included Al McDonald of North Bay, Keith Hobbs of Thunder Bay, Steve Black of Timmins, Brian Bigger of Sudbury, and Christian Provenzano of Sault Ste. Marie.
“We were very encouraged by our discussions today,” McDonald said in a release. “It’s important that we work closely together in our partnership to ensure smart and effective decisions and investments that will help to grow our local economies and protect the sustainability of Northern Ontario.”
NOLUM said rising energy costs makes it harder for businesses to remain competitive and to remain in the North. The mayors are calling on the Ministry of Energy to pay immediate attention to the issue.
When it comes to MPAC assessments, NOLUM is asking for a “more stable and predictable source of revenue for municipalities.”
NOLUM will be putting a request through to the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) to meet with the Ministry of Finance surrounding this issue.
The mayor additionally discussed the need to establish an east-west corridor through the Ring of Fire to jump-start development, as well as a need for increased funding to FedNor.
