Municipal leaders from across northwestern Ontario are gathering in Fort Frances.
The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association’s annual conference begins this afternoon. (Wednesday)
President Wendy Landry says it’s a hybrid forum after two years of meetings online.
“We’re offering a hybrid model for those who can’t make it or those who don’t feel comfortable yet gathering in person. Some of our ministers are preoccupied and booked as well. So they are attending virtually. We moved to having the hybrid model so we can accommodate,” says Landry.
Fort Frances was to host the event in 2020 but cancelled because of the pandemic.
All the provincial party leaders will address delegates this afternoon, including Premier Doug Ford.
Municipal leaders will then get down to some of the Association’s key business, including the discussion of resolutions that will be presented to members of cabinet at a later date.
There are several presentations, including one from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, one of its first since transforming into a new stand-alone university.
“The Ministers are attending as well, Minister Clark, Minister Rickford. The Premier is going to address the group. We have (Solicitor General) Sylvia Jones,” says Landry.
They will be taking part in the traditional Minister’s forum where delegates get to pose questions.
