Lot’s Going On At NOMA Conference

The fun is over and it’s down to business at the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Annual General Meeting in Thunder Bay.
Municipal delegates held a meet-and-greet last night but today will hear from a number of key figures.
Dryden Councilor Brian Collins says that will include 8 Ontario ministers.
Collins says he’s impressed with the provincial government representation, stressing it will give municipal leaders a chance to show them how different the issues are in the north.
He says the north is plagued by declining population, poor economy and youth out-migration.
Collins is joined by Mayor Craig Nuttall.
NOMA President Ron Nelson says he’s looking forward to some lively discussion on the issue of regional autonomy.
Nelson notes we should consider decision making in northwestern Ontario by northwestern Ontario.
Property assessments, the mine readiness strategy and non-urgent land ambulance patient transfers are expected to be the hot button issues.
The NOMA Conference is sold out with 250-delegates.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and P.C. Leader Tim Hudak are among those in attendance.
Meantime, the region’s municipal lobby group has a new executive director.
Kristen Oliver takes on the job for NOMA on May 6th.
She’s a former policy assistant to former Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson.