Ontario, Quebec cities team up on mining, economic strategy

Ontario's Timmins and Quebec's Rouyn-Noranda pledge to boost cross-border economic ties. The mayors cite shared mining strengths and existing community ties.

Timmins, Ont., and Rouyn-Noranda, Que., have made a commitment to forge closer economic ties in ways that would benefit both municipalities.

“Why not just look the other side of the border? They’re, they’re only 2.5 hours away from us,” said Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau.

“We know that a lot of our residents are going into the neighbouring municipality for different things like shopping, to visit with family and friends … There’s a historic relationship between our communities and so … what better time than now to see how we can push that a little bit further?”

Rouyn-Noranda Mayor Gilles Chapadeau recently visited Timmins to attend the mayor’s State of the City luncheon and to meet with business leaders.

“I think we have a lot in common in terms of culture,” Chapadeau said.

“And when we think about that, (Prime Minister) Mark Carney is saying to try to have an exchange with the other countries and it’s difficult to have exchanges between two provinces, and I think we have to find a way.”

The mayors said businesses in both cities already have established relationships, adding that collaborations could also be developed in areas of education and social issues.

Boileau plans to meet with Chapadeau next week in Rouyn-Noranda.

“And then from that point, our economic development teams will start to develop a framework, and some actionable items for us to start working on,” said Boileau.

“I like to work with her. Really dynamic,” said Chapadeau.

Both mayors said the municipalities share similar strengths, particularly in the mining sector, and see their commitment as an opportunity to contribute to Canada’s critical minerals strategy.