Mayors representing Northern Ontario’s five largest municipalities took part in a meeting of the minds in North Bay Friday, focused on a number of pressing issues impacting the region.
Northern Ontario’s Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) are gearing up for a “pivotal provincial and federal advocacy season.”
Coming out of the North Bay session, the mayors agreed to advocate for stronger social supports and to find ways to maximize opportunities for economic development for northern Ontario.
The cities represented at NOLUM’s meeting are part of the Upper Great Lakes economic region that is said to be poised for growth under the clean energy transition.
“Attracting talent and providing adequate social services to NOLUM’s hub cities is essential to drive economic growth in Ontario,” stated North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico, speaking to the media following the session.
Chirico went on to explain the two priorities at the forefront of NOLUM’s recommendations to the two other levels of government.
“The Ontario Government’s HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) hub model is a crucial step in addressing homelessness and addiction; and the unique geography and distance between communities in Northern Ontario highlight the need for a dedicated hub in each NOLUM city,” read Chirico.
Despite statistics recently released indicating that the five cities which fall under the NOLUM umbrella have the “highest opioid mortality rates in Ontario” it was noted the municipalities are tackling the issue with “limited provincial support”.
Chirico is quoted as saying “Economic growth and safety go hand in hand. We’re asking the Ontario Government to commit to one Hart Hub in each city to address the opioid crisis. With government support, we can build safer communities and keep North Bay and northern Ontario moving forward.”
The second priority announced on behalf of NOLUM was the federal government’s Immigration Pilot for Northern Ontario communities.
It is being touted as a “valuable success, helping address critical workforce needs in the region.”
NOLUM calls for a “sustained focus on workforce attraction and retention, urging the federal government to expedite the launch of the new Rural Community Immigration Pilot and to make it permanent to address regional labour shortages.”
Greater Sudbury mayor Paul Lefebvre, spoke to the issue of economic opportunities.
“Our goal is to build a Northern Ontario where economic opportunity and quality of life go hand in hand. By working together and advocating for policies tailored to our communities’ needs, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient future across the north.”
The Mayor of Sault Ste. Marie is quoted as saying the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot helped his community grow its population to levels not seen since the 90s, driven by growth they haven’t experienced since the 1970s.
Mayor Matthew Shoemaker, went on to explain how the program was instrumental in ensuring the city didn’t miss out on economic opportunities “by connecting local employers with the skilled workforce needed to fill critical vacancies that would otherwise go unfilled. Sault Ste. Marie reached its annual cap every year, reflective of the opportunities in our community for continued growth through the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.”
Attending the North Bay meeting either in person or via Zoom were mayors from Greater Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and of course host city, North Bay.
NOLUM regularly collaborates to address shared challenges and push for policies and resources that support the well-being and economic vitality of northern Ontario.
The mayors will share their priorities with their local members of the provincial parliament.
