Legalized pot is a topic municipal politicians will talk about at the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities conference now underway in Parry Sound.
Mac Bain, a past president of FONOM and North Bay city councillor, says some communities believe cannabis legislation will lead to social and medical issues.
“They believe this will result in more pressures,” Bain said.
“We want to ensure that (financial transfers) to municipalities will be large enough to address these issues.”
Bain also says once marijuana becomes legal, FONOM hopes that the sites to grow the drug are not all centred in Southern Ontario.
“We’re hoping the province recognizes there are municipal partners in Northern Ontario to help the people who want to establish the growing operations,” Bain said.
The approximate 250 delegates are also talking about the province taking full financial responsibility for the ambulance system.
Bain says Ontario is the only province in Canada that still pays a municipal share toward ambulance service.
Bain says also up for discussion is a debate about municipalities getting a larger share of the HST to help pay for infrastructure projects.
The annual event wraps up Friday when resolutions will be passed and delegates see a leaders’ debate featuring the heads of the three mainstream political parties who will talk about northern issues.
