NOMA names Nelson interim president

O’Connor Township Mayor Ron Nelson is the temporary head of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.

Nelson takes over from former Dryden Mayor Anne Krassilowsky, who lost her seat in the October municipal election.

Also on Friday NOMA named Kenora Mayor David Canfield as the interim executive vice president of the lobby organization.

“I am proud to represent NOMA as its president and look forward to working with the board as we make our issues heard at Queen’s Park,” Nelson said in a release issued on Friday afternoon. ‘Northwestern Ontario is on the cusp of many positive new developments, but we need the support of the Ontario government to make sure these opportunities are realized.”

A permanent president will be elected at the annual general meeting in the spring.
Also on Friday the NOMA discussed the province’s long-term energy plan, originally announced in November.

Nelson said the plan does not address the energy transmission and distribution needs of the Northwest or the amount of energy that will be required if and when the mining industry hits full force.

“It appears that the Province has once again left a large part of Northwestern Ontario out of their energy planning process.  NOMA will be actively and aggressively informing the Government and Opposition parties of the deficiencies in the Plan and will be outlining the short- and long-term energy needs of our region to ensure economic development opportunities can be realized,” Nelson said.