The Federation of Ontario Municipalities Conference gets underway today at Nipissing University. Things get started at 12:45, when FONOM President Al Spacek, Mayor Al McDonald and Ministry of Municipal Affairs Regional Director Lynn Buckham will speak. Discussion topics during the day include the Film Industry in Northern Ontario, and the Economic and Labour Market Trends in Northeastern Ontario. Other discussion sessions throughout the conference will include Indigenous relations, broadband connectivity and affordable housing.
Keynote speaker Steve Paikan from TVO’s The Agenda, and P-C leader Patrick Brown will also speak today. Premier Kathleen Wynne and NDP leader Andrea Horwath will also be in North Bay this week for the FONOM conference, both will speak tomorrow. Officials say the conference is always well attended by municipal leaders from Northern Ontario because it’s a great opportunity for them to get messages out. The other big event of the week will be the Ministers Forum on Friday, with several provincial cabinet members taking part including Municipal Affairs Ministers Bill Mauro, and Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault.
