THUNDER BAY -- A regional municipal group is hoping to gain more decision making power across the region.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is asking the province for more regional authority to enhance economic development in this region.
"NOMA expresses its support for increased regional decision making for Northern Ontario on issues currently under Provincial jurisdiction including natural resources, energy, infrastructure and land use planning," the board states in a news release issued to media Thursday.
The statement continues, adding that "NOMA call on the leaders and candidates for leadership of the three elected provincial political parties to outline their support or non-support of providing increased regional decision making power to Northern Ontario."
NOMA president Ron Nelson said the decisions made in Queen's Park often don't work for Northwestern Ontario and at times even have a negative impact on the region's economy.
"From the Endangered Species Act that reduces wood fibre and adds unnecessary challenges to our forest industry, to the lack of energy transmission lines and generation that result in mines running on diesel .... the current system does not work for us,” Nelson said.
