THUNDER BAY —The annual Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) conference is “very important for the region,” NOMA president Rick Dumas says.
“Obviously, NOMA’s been doing this for many, many years — or decades, for that matter,” Dumas, who is also mayor of Marathon, said on the first day of the 2026 conference.
“But the reality is, this conference is probably the biggest and the best we’ve had.”
He said the three-day 2026 gathering for officials from 37 municipalities has more provincial cabinet ministers present than ever before.
“And then of course (there are) all the opportunities to listen to the great speakers … and talking about the various issues and things that we’re all being impacted by.
“And there’s a theme. The theme of this conference is resilience, and resilience is about us northerners being resilient.”
Wednesday’s proceedings included addresses from provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria and Opposition Leader Marit Stiles.
The conference also heard a recorded message from Premier Doug Ford, who thanked the municipal association “for making a real difference for the people of Northwestern Ontario.”
“Working together, we will continue to create generational opportunities for people in northern Ontario for decades to come.,” the premier said.
Red Rock Mayor Darquise Robinson said she looks forward to each year’s NOMA conference.
“I come to see my fellow colleagues and to find out what’s going on in their community, see if it’s any different than ours,” she said before the conference kicked off on Wednesday.
“For me it’s getting information. If I have a problem or an issue, maybe they have some advice for me that I can use.”
Kenora Mayor Andrew Poirier said the conference is important to him for the three key reasons, including his city’s representation on NOMA’s board and “vitally important” meetings with cabinet ministers.
“And third thing,” he said, “is just to reconnect with colleagues in the region.
“We speak a lot on the phone or over a screen. But it’s nice to sit down and chat with colleagues in person.
“It’s important that we continue to do that, advocate together and communicate the same message because we have the same issues.”
