More than 350 municipal leaders, administrators, government representatives and business partners are heading home with renewed energy and focus on municipal resilience as the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) conference and annual general meeting concluded Friday.
The three-day conference, which took place in Thunder Bay this week, was centred on the theme of resilience and featured conversations on the challenges and opportunities facing municipalities across the North.
Rick Dumas, NOMA president and mayor of Marathon, told The Chronicle-Journal that people are leaving with a sense of momentum and optimism.
“There is a real sense of excitement and optimism coming out of this year’s conference. Our members are energized, focused, and ready to continue the work of building strong, resilient communities,” Dumas said.
“With a new municipal election cycle about to begin, this is a pivotal moment for leadership across Ontario, and Northwestern Ontario is ready to lead.”
He said NOMA will continue to strongly advocate for funding for opportunities in the communities, to provide support for the forestry and mining sectors and to make Highways 11 and 17 safer.
“It’s all about the overall message we’re sharing with the government. We’re here to work with you,” Dumas said. “We leave this week with renewed energy and a shared commitment to continue advocating for Northwestern Ontario.”
NOMA organizers thanked the Kenora District Municipal Association for hosting the conference, as well as the 52 exhibitors and all delegates.
“This conference showcased the strength of our region, the importance of working together, and the shared commitment we all have to building resilient communities,” said Kevin Kahoot, president of the Kenora District Municipal Association.
Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan and associate minister of forestry and forest products, together with his ministerial colleagues, were also recognized for their strong presence throughout the conference and their commitment to engaging directly with municipal leaders.
The 2027 NOMA conference and annual general meeting will return to Thunder Bay next year from April 21-23.
