On Oct. 17 the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) members converged for the Leaders' Summit in Timmins, bringing together 200 politicians from across the region, all with a common interest.

The overall discontent about the North's economy and the limited power to do anything about it seems to have reached a saturation point. The region is ripe for change.

Michael Atkins, president of Laurentian Media Group and Michael Gallis president of Michael Gallis and Associates both spoke of decentralizing the levels of decision making power so the North can control its own economy, particularly with respect to the natural resource sectors.

From a PowerPoint perspective Gallis provided a graphic view on how far reaching communities can be from a marketing standpoint, given the right economic conditions. Conversely, he explained how diluted activity can be when the central forces of power are too far away to make any sizable impact.

The idea of taking control of the region’s destiny appeared resonate through the morning and afternoon sessions with councilors, mayors and reeves supporting a need for change.

“We are ready for this kind of discussion,” John Rodriguez, mayor of Greater Sudbury said with Sault Ste. Marie mayor John Roswell echoing the same sentiments.

The morning presenters gave Timmins mayor Tom Laughren food for thought.

“Michael Atkins has certainly made me think and we could have something to build on,” he says.

Just before the presentations took place, all five Northern city mayors met for a breakfast meeting to discuss this exact issue. No resolutions were made during the event, however, the FONOM council will meet again Nov 11, to determine the direction the organization will take.

“This will be something people will talk about over the next couple of days and months,” Laughren says.

Links

Text of Michael Atkins' speech - Oct 18, 2007, Timmins, ON
Remarks by Mac Bain, Second Vice-President, FONOM - May 11, 2007

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