NIPIGON – The Thunder Bay District Municipal League wrapped up its annual general meeting on Friday after two days of presentations and discussions.
Day one of the meeting started with a recap of NOMA 2023, followed by updates from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority.
The meeting also included presentations on Bill 23, the labour landscape in Northwestern Ontario, and a new organic waste diversion program, as well as updates from Superior North EMS and the province.
Day two saw more presentations including some on engineering and peer support for first responders. Participants also received an update from the Superior-Greenstone District School Board and an update on mining in the district.
The second day was capped off by speeches from the MPPs for Thunder Bay-Atikokan and Thunder Bay-Superior North.
Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Lise Vaugeois talked about a myriad of topics, including heat pumps, Terrace Bay, wildland firefighters and highways.
Vaugeois said while some steps were being taken to increase highway safety, including the highway twinning project, more needs to be done, such as removing snow faster.
“We want eight-hour clearing. Guy Bourgouin has put forward that bill a number of times to try to get eight-hour clearing here. It has been voted down every time by the government. Also, he has put forward a bill to make it illegal to pass on double yellow lines,” said Vaugeois.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland presented the municipalities in attendance with a list of provincial investments in the region, including health care, trade, and policing. He also reaffirmed his dedication to continuing to build a healthy relationship between municipalities and the province.
“I am focused on ensuring that the challenges and circumstances of our region are understood and communicated to my colleagues in Toronto. This is a large province and solutions need to be localized," he said.
"Differences exist between the communities in this room and represent the larger differences throughout the province of Ontario.” .
Membership to the league is open to all incorporated municipalities in and around the district of Thunder Bay and its present memberships include all the communities in the district as well as the Municipality of Hornepayne and the Township of White River in the district of Algoma.