FONOM calls for continued provincial partnership for forestry sector
The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) is thinking long-term as it calls for a renewed provincial partnership to help sustain the forestry industry.
“When Ontario invests in the North, the entire province benefits,” says Dave Plourde, FONOM President and Mayor of Kapuskasing. “We are asking the government to build on the progress already made by continuing to work with communities, industry, and workers to secure long-term solutions that will keep Northern Ontario strong.”
FONOM says Northern Ontario municipalities are facing mounting pressures as global market shifts, aging infrastructure, and rising operating costs challenge the forestry sector.
They add continued provincial engagement is essential to ensuring past investments are protected and that Northern communities remain viable contributors to Ontario’s economic future.
The federation says the province has been a longstanding supporter of the forestry sector, adding approximately $60 million has invested since 2023 to support Kap Paper and the broader forestry supply chain.
Officials say the investment has enabled the mill to continue operations that generate an estimated $320 million annually in regional economic activity, benefiting northern communities and the province.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.
