Don’t leave North behind, NOMA demands

Area Municipal leaders sent a strong message to Queen’s Park as the government gathers input for the next provincial budget – don't try to balance the books on the backs of municipalities.

That's what Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association past president Michael Power told the standing committee on finance and economic affairs Thursday. The committee was holding hearings in North Bay, but local representatives provided their input via teleconference.

They offered up several recommendation that they say will improve the economy of the region.

Included in those recommendations were calls for sufficient funding to allow the Grow North Plan to move forward, and extension of the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund deadline.

NOMA members also requested that the government consider an improved forest tenure system when it drafts its final budget.