Wynne's back in Sudbury for conference with northern leaders

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will make an appearance Thursday at the 55th annual conference of the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM), being held in Sudbury.

Wynne will speak at the morning session of FONOM's annual meeting, which opened Wednesday at the Holiday Inn on Regent Street and runs until Friday. She will address reporters after her formal remarks.

At least eight cabinet ministers will attend the Ministers' Forum event Friday, as well as Liberal MP Glenn Thibeault.

The meetings opened with a speech from FONOM president Al Spacek, who said FONOM meetings in election years gives all the newly elected politicians a chance to meet their counterparts across the region.

"We have a great conference this year," said Spacek, who is also the mayor of Kapuskasing. "We have lots of sessions that will appeal to newly elected and seasoned politicians. It's a great opportunity to network with each other."

In his remarks, Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger welcomed the 300 delegates from 100 municipalities to Sudbury and urged them to take in the area's natural beauty. Sudbury is home to 330 lakes, he said, including the two largest contained in a city anywhere in the world.

"I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you are currently in the happiest city in Canada," Bigger said, alluding to a recent survey that ranked Sudburians as the most contented citizens in Canada. "If you have a chance, take a walk on our boardwalk, along Ramsey Lake by Science North."

The theme of the conference is 'Redefining Resourceful,' and he said the challenge they face is finding ways to make this part of the province flourish well into the future.

"Where do we go from here?” Bigger said. “How do we make northeastern Ontario more attractive for living, investing and tourism?

"I want this conference to be an opportunity to expand our understanding of the current climate and reality."

The meeting is an opportunity for the municipalities to find ways for cities and towns to work together on common goals, he said, and to work with the province to help them get there.

"I'm very proud to be able to lead Greater Sudbury and northeastern Ontario into the future, along with all of you, and I'm eager to get started on what's next."

Among the sessions on tap Thursday is a presentation by Louise Paquette, chief executive officer of the Northeast LHIN, on the future of hospitals in northeastern Ontario; a session on developing the agriculture industry; and a session updating delegates on the strategic direction of the ONTC.

A full conference agenda can be found at fonomsudbury.ca.