The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) has launched a new website to rally support for the ten provincial parks the province has closed.

Our Ontario North is designed to allow those who disapprove of the park closures a voice, sending a message to the relevant cabinet minister expressing their views.

The Facebook page supporting the website had 900 likes within a week, and now sits close to the 1,500 mark.

“We believe now more than ever that it is important for the Government of Ontario to stop and listen to Northern residents and communities,” said Alan Spacek, president of FONOM and mayor of Kapuskasing.

“We want to be part of the solution to preserving overnight camping in our parks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Ontario Northland's services.”

The province recently announced its decision to close parks and save money. Nine of the 10 parks closed are located in the North.

“Yet again this provincial government has acted without consultation, closing parks that are the lifeblood of Northern communities adjacent to them,” he said.

The decisions made by the MNR means savings of about $7.1 million annually, at the expense of 28 full-time jobs and 102 seasonal jobs.

Visit www.ourontarionorth.org or search OurOntarioNorth on Facebook for more information.