FONOM working with two other northern groups

Officials with the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities say speaking with one voice is not only efficient it’s powerful when communicating with other levels of government.

FONOM President Al Spacek says they’ve has formalized a working relationship with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association.

That group involves all of the social services administration boards.

He says that’s a big line item on everyone’s budget and they thought it made sense to understand what their concerns and opportunities are — and to be on the same page when relaying those to the province. Issues include the dynamics of northern Ontario with geography and long distances between communities.

Meantime, Spacek says a similar relationship is ”under development” with northern first nations. He says, “We’re sharing the land and we have very similar concerns when it comes to dealing with the two senior levels of government.”