THUNDER BAY – A changing of the guard is underway for regional municipal leaders.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association board held its final meeting in Thunder Bay on Wednesday, with six members departing after deciding to not stand for re-election in their communities or suffering election night defeats.
NOMA president Wendy Landry, who was acclaimed to another four-year term as Shuniah mayor earlier this year, lamented the loss of knowledge and experience brought by many of the members but said new members will have to continue to advocate for what’s important for Northwestern Ontario.
“We have to keep our voices strong and keep on the radar so our issues are heard, also to offer some solutions to some of the issues that we bring forward,” Landry said.
“I think railway taxation is an area we can work with this government to generate some revenue, and at the same time offsetting some of the costs for our municipalities.”
Dave Canfield, retiring as Kenora mayor after sitting on the sidelines during this fall's municipal election campaign, started on the board in 1991 and served a total of 16 years.
“There are too many important things right now. I think for Ontario and Northwestern Ontario especially, the opportunities that are out there right now and it looks like there is a little momentum to clean up some of the red tape that we’ve been talking about for the last 20-something years,” Canfield said.
Outgoing Fort Frances Coun. Ken Perry, who unsuccessfully ran in the town’s mayoral race, said there
“Hopefully the people coming up behind me will carry on, look at the things that need to be looked at and maybe get some stuff finished up and finalized,” Perry said. “I think the government is listening to us but we have to be there to be listened to.”
Perry largely spearheaded NOMA’s push for increased railway taxation revenue. In Fort Frances, three years ago the municipality only received $3,500 but successful lobbying has resulted in provincial changes that raised the amount to nearly $12,000 this past year.
While he’s hoping NOMA will continue to fight for more railway taxation, he said intercommunity busing is an area where regional leaders need to use their voice.
“It’s only a big issue in Northwestern Ontario, which I think that’s a disgrace,” Perry said. “If Ontario can support busing in southern Ontario, northeastern Ontario and central Ontario, they should be supporting busing to the same degree in some way, shape or form, per capita or per region, as they do in the rest of the province.”
Landry said she views the changeover that will come from so many new board members as an opportunity, rather than a challenge.
“The municipalities as a whole, we know the issues,” Landry said. “It’s just a matter of this group of representatives to continue that messaging and continue that advocacy work. I think anybody coming and joining the NOMA board won’t take long to get up to speed and get that energy to go forward.”
Canfield urged the new members to put their people first.
“I think with the newcomers you’re going to have some new energy, you’re going to have some new ideas,” Canfield said.
“It’s getting those people pumped up and passionate about what they’re doing. It has to be about the communities and the passion. It’s not about them. I think new blood is a good thing and I think they’re going to do a good job.”
Other members bidding farewell included Thunder Bay’s Iain Angus, Red Lake’s Sandy Middleton, Greenstone’s Eric Pietsch and Rainy River’s Gord Armstrong.
