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Rick Dumas NOMA 2026

NOMA 2026 opens with focus on road safety, industry support

Representatives from municipalities across the region descended on Thunder Bay on Wednesday for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association’s (NOMA) annual conference in Thunder Bay.

With the economic uncertainty of trade wars and oil shortages and a dangerous year for winter roads on the minds of many in the northwest, the conference has centred “resilience” as the theme of 2026.

“It’s about us northerners being resilient,” says NOMA president and Mayor of Marathon Rick Dumas. “We’ve lived through all of the experiences you can imagine.”

Dumas sees echoes of the 2008 recession and its aftermath in the current experience of northern communities.

“We’re recycling that whole process now, looking at how we reinvent ourselves with the forestry sector, the mineral sector, and of course the highway sector,” he explains.

Highway safety was ever-present in conversations and speeches of the event, as only a day earlier provincial parties across the political spectrum in Ontario unanimously passed an NDP motion to recognize Highways 11 and 17 as routes of national importance.

Ontario’s governing Progressive Conservative (PC) party made northern roads a key focus in a speech given by Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, who touted the province’s $650 million budget for northern road improvements.

Provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria speaks at NOMA 2026 in Thunder Bay. PHOTO: SAM GOLDSTEIN/ACADIA BROADCASTING/APRIL 22, 2026

The minister drew attention to efforts to speed up the “twinning” of the 11-17, which has advanced at a glacial pace for decades.

“We put in legislation now and work towards minimizing environmental assessments, working with communities across Northern Ontario to accelerate it,” says Sarkaria.

The Ontario PC’s have recently put out the call to the federal government to partner on the twinning of northern roads.

“It’s a huge project, and everybody’s going to be at the same table because at the end of the day, everybody wants the same thing: the best possible highways across the north for everybody to use,” says Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth George Pirie, who attended the event alongside Minister Sarkaria.

Rick Dumas believes completing the twinning of the highway is simply a matter of money and will.

He points to the American administration of president Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950’s, who facilitated the construction of the interstate highway system across the United States in just a decade.

“If they can do it, we can do it,” says Dumas.

NOMA President and Mayor of Marathon Rick Dumas speaks at NOMA 2026. PHOTO: SAM GOLDSTEIN/ACADIA BROADCASTING/APRIL 22, 2026

Representatives of the provincial opposition’s New Democratic Party (NDP) were also present at the event.

Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles used her speaking time to appeal to the municipal leaders in the room to work with her party, arguing that the PC’s were failing to deliver, despite the occasional success at working across party lines with the opposition.

“Municipalities are overwhelmed, they’re overburdened, and they shouldn’t have to be hiring Bay Street lobbyists or turning themselves inside out to convince the government that they matter,” says Stiles.

ONDP leader Marit Stiles speaks during NOMA 2026. PHOTO: SAM GOLDSTEIN/ACADIA BROADCASTING/APRIL 22, 2026

Stiles suggests that municipalities are feeling a financial crunch due to provincial tax cuts.

“When Doug Ford says ‘I’ve never raised a single tax,’ well, he’s lying because he’s just downloaded that onto towns,” says the ONDP leader. “Communities who’ve had to raise taxes because his government isn’t at the table.”

NOMA’s 2026 conference is slated to continue on Thursday and Friday.

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NOMA calls for Highway 11/17 modernization at economic conference

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The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) is back from Toronto after a week of economic advocacy.

Over the last week, NOMA board members met with major mining companies, government officials and industry leaders at Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention, the world’s premiere mining convention.

The modernization of Highways 11 and 17 was one of the primary topics of discussion. The issue was explored in a joint meeting between NOMA, the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and the Globe and Mail Editorial Board.

“Highways 11 and 17 are more than transportation routes, they are lifelines for our communities and critical to Canada’s economy,” said Rick Dumas, President of NOMA and Mayor of Marathon. “We need a coordinated, long-term commitment from all orders of government to ensure these corridors are safe, reliable, and built to support the future of Northern Ontario.”

Upgrading northern highways came up in a conversation between NOMA President Rick Dumas and Federal Minister of Transportation Steven MacKinnon as well.

NOMA says they explored the potential for a dual use designation for the highways, recognizing their essential role in supporting both regional connectivity and national economic and supply chain priorities.

“PDAC provided an important platform to connect Northern priorities with national conversations,” said Wendy Landry, Mayor of Shuniah, and former President of NOMA. “Investment in Highways 11 and 17 is essential to unlocking economic development, supporting resource projects, and ensuring the safety of residents and travelers across the north.”

NOMA says they plan to build on this momentum through advocacy with all orders of government to ensure Northwestern Ontario’s priorities remain front and centre.

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Transportation safety, rural immigration remain priorities for NOMA amid federal budget release

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The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is happy to see the commitment to invest in infrastructure, clean energy, critical minerals, and housing in the federal budget.

However, they would still like to see Highways 11 and 17 treated as a national priority, and the organization has concerns about the planned reduction in immigration.

“There’s some areas within our districts of northwestern Ontario that have some 200 plus kilometers without a passing lane that’s really not acceptable, and reality is we look at that and we ask government if you want to talk about nation building programs, this is one that you could put tens of thousands of people to work, invest billions of dollars and improve our commerce or economics and our safety for the residents,” explained NOMA President Rick Dumas.

“Our highways are our lifelines. When the Trans-Canada closes in northern Ontario, Canada closes.”

Road closures due to collisions, weather, and construction impact transportation in the region, as well as businesses that rely on the stretch of road to deliver products to and from stores.

According to NOMA, closures on Highway 11/17 cost the economy millions of dollars each year by disrupting the movement of goods, people, and essential services.

NOMA is calling on the federal government to work closely with the Province of Ontario to fast-track investment in Highway 11/17 infrastructure, including the adoption of modern designs such as 2+1 safety corridors to enhance mobility, safety, and national connectivity.

The organization also noted its concerns about the federal government’s plan to reduce immigration by nearly 50 per cent, particularly among temporary residents such as international students and foreign workers.

The association acknowledged the need to manage growth sustainably, but highlighted that these changes risk unintended and harmful consequences for rural and northern regions that rely on immigration to sustain their labour markets, fill critical service and healthcare roles, and support economic development in small communities.

NOMA cites the region’s shrinking youth population, an aging workforce, and persistent labour shortages across key sectors, including healthcare, mining, forestry, hospitality, and construction, as the reasoning for its concern.

They believe immigration remains one of the only pathways to meet local workforce needs.

“Reducing immigration without regional exemptions will deepen workforce challenges in Northern Ontario,” said Executive Vice President Fred Mota. “We need a regionalized approach that ensures newcomers are directed to the places that need them most — communities like ours that are ready to welcome and retain skilled workers.”

NOMA is looking forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Minister Patty Hajdu, and MP Marcus Powlowski to grow the North, attract new workers, and make life more affordable for those living and working in Northwestern Ontario.

The organization has extended a direct invitation to the Prime Minister to visit the region to see firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing the region.

They also hope to have meetings with the federal government in Ottawa in early December to discuss immigration to the region.

Ontario Energy and Mines Minister Stephen Lecce

Northwestern Ontario municipalities welcome new provincial permitting process

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The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) has come out in favour of Ontario’s newly announced “One Project, One Process” (1P1P) framework.

The permitting framework is meant to streamline the process of opening new mines in Ontario, which previously could take up to 15 years, according to Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce.

Under the new system, the province aims to approve new mining permits within two years.

NOMA has announced that it welcomes the new changes, seeing the updated framework as an opportunity for job creation and economic growth in northwestern Ontario.

“Northern Ontario municipalities are ready for action,” said NOMA president Rick Dumas. “Streamlined approvals will help us turn untapped mineral potential into tangible economic opportunities – but only if we move together in true partnership with Indigenous leadership and our communities.”

NOMA has asked the federal government to echo the province by creating federal regulations for faster and more streamlined processes for environmental assessments.

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NOMA Conference Begins in Fort Frances

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Municipal leaders from across northwestern Ontario are gathering in Fort Frances.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association’s annual conference begins this afternoon. (Wednesday)

President Wendy Landry says it’s a hybrid forum after two years of meetings online.

“We’re offering a hybrid model for those who can’t make it or those who don’t feel comfortable yet gathering in person. Some of our ministers are preoccupied and booked as well. So they are attending virtually. We moved to having the hybrid model so we can accommodate,” says Landry.

Fort Frances was to host the event in 2020 but cancelled because of the pandemic.

All the provincial party leaders will address delegates this afternoon, including Premier Doug Ford.

Municipal leaders will then get down to some of the Association’s key business, including the discussion of resolutions that will be presented to members of cabinet at a later date.

There are several presentations, including one from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, one of its first since transforming into a new stand-alone university.

“The Ministers are attending as well, Minister Clark, Minister Rickford. The Premier is going to address the group. We have (Solicitor General) Sylvia Jones,” says Landry.

They will be taking part in the traditional Minister’s forum where delegates get to pose questions.

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NOMA Calling For First Nations Evacuation Plan

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The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has concerns about possible First Nations evacuations with the upcoming spring thaw and forest fire season.

The organization has sent a letter to Minister Greg Rickford and Minister Sylvia Jones asking for a plan in the wake of the on-going COVID-19 crisis.

President Wendy Landry says area Municipalities aren’t equipped right now to host displaced residents.

“Our facilities are all closed. Our municipal offices are closed. The arenas, the libraries, all of those public places are closed. Public parks are closed.”

Landry says ensuring the safety and well-being of evacuees is their first priority.

However, she stresses “Those who continue to work are focused on essential service delivery and activities associated with continuity of governance and business operations. There is no capacity to deal with the heavy workload of emergency management normally carried out by host community staff.”

Landry adds she’s extremely worried about the impact of an evacuation and the spread of the coronavirus into remote communities without medical resources available.

NOMA has suggested setting up temporary or portable housing and facilities in serviced Provincial Parks.

Landry says they plan to meet with both levels of senior government to develop a strategy.

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Regional Leaders Meeting Postponed

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Municipal leaders from across the region won’t be meeting as planned this spring.

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association Conference scheduled for April 29th to May 1st in Fort Frances has been cancelled due to COVID-19.

The yearly gathering allows municipal staff, councillors and mayors to discuss concerns, strategies and policies to advance the north.

It’s an opportunity to reach common ground in order to lobby both levels of government for help.

NOMA President Wendy Landry says the Board is looking to postpone the conference until the Fall noting its an important resource in building regional partnerships and learning more from each other.

 

 

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Regional Concerns To Be Presented In Toronto

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Policing, transportation, winter road maintenance, forestry and equal funding across the province will be discussed between municipal leaders and the government starting on Sunday.

Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association President Wendy Landry says they will be pressing the needs of our region at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto.

“We have to educate the people in the southern part of the province, in that what works for them doesn’t work for areas in the north, one size does not fit all.”

She adds they know the province hears their concerns, noting it’s all about presenting solutions and not whining.

At the three day conference, NOMA plans to make more requests for northern Ontario police funding.

Landry says while the government knows money is needed, the funding still hasn’t come.

“A lot of our municipalities in the NOMA district are seeing an increase in policing costs. And I believe out of the ten top communities that have the highest policing costs in Ontario, six of them are in northwestern Ontario.”

Landry says they’ll be asking officials why money is not coming despite many requests.

Snow plowing concerns in northern Ontario is another concern.

“Our highway maintenance crews are not paid a lot of money to clear our highways. So if you’re offered a job at mine at a much higher wage, why would you take a job clearing highways?”

Landry adds funding is needed to make the job more appealing, considering the hours and hazards of the profession.

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NOMA Brings Up Issues With Provincial Officials

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The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association has raised a number of key issues with members of the provincial government.

Local leaders recently met with several Ministers at a meeting in Ottawa.

Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance says one issue they addressed was policing across the region.

“The burden of cost on municipalities. We’re doing really social issues through policing that would be better done through other ministries.”

Lawrance also called for “Inter-community bus service transportation throughout northwestern Ontario. Continue to ask for an integrated, subsidized bus service that services northwestern Ontario communities rather than run through it as Greyhound used to do.”

Lawrance says delegates also expressed a need for additional support for the forest industry and stabilized funding for municipalities.