Ontario cabinet ministers faced tough questions from municipal leaders during the final day of the annual Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities conference in Timmins. Highway safety, housing, forestry, and homelessness dominated the annual ‘Bear Pit’ session, where northern leaders pressed the province on some of northern Ontario’s most urgent issues. Municipal leaders lined up at the microphone Thursday at the McIntyre Community Centre to ask provincial ministers about where matters stand on concerns that impact all of northern Ontario. Temagami Mayor Dan O’Meara called for more safety improvements along two Trans-Canada highways. “Highway 11 and Highway 17 need some work. We are losing people in our communities,” said O’Meara. Associate Forestry Minister Kevin Holland said the province is still waiting to see whether the federal government will contribute funding for four-laning projects and additional 2+1 highway expansions. In the meantime, Holland said the province is reviewing the leading causes of fatal collisions -- including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and failure to wear seatbelts -- to determine what additional safety measures may be needed. Holland also suggested that more passing lanes and additional rest stops could improve highway safety. Homelessness was another major topic during the session. Espanola Mayor Doug Gervais questioned how the province plans to address the issue. “Very concerning is our street people. Where are we with this?” said Gervais. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Rob Flack said additional funding alone will not solve homelessness. He noted the province has increased homelessness prevention funding to $700 million. Flack also suggested learning from municipalities that are seeing positive results. In terms of the housing shortage in general, Flack said he would like to see more modular home-building factories established in northern Ontario. “You’ve got a lot of forests here, a lot of lumber that can be put to work,” said Flack. “And I’d like to see some more modular homes, factories built up here, because they can get to the communities faster than if they’re built down south.” Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy encouraged municipalities to apply for upcoming provincial infrastructure funding. “$900 million, more or less, is coming out in the coming months,” said McCarthy. “We’re happy to entertain applications for housing-enabling infrastructure funding.” He said the funding could support water and wastewater systems, bridges and roads that help create and maintain housing. Northern Economic Development and Growth Minister George Pirie told attendees the region’s economy is booming because of provincial policies and he assured attendees that the forestry sector is still important to the north. “The forestry sector is not going to disappear,” said Pirie. Holland also highlighted provincial support for the forestry sector, including $66 million for Kap Paper. Holland said he is also working with the federal government to help ensure the mill’s long-term viability. The conference wrapped up Thursday, but FONOM president Dave Plourde said discussions with provincial and federal governments will continue on the issues raised during this year’s conference, including in the summer months. Parry Sound will host next year’s FONOM conference.
