Northern Ontario mayors set out priorities ahead of provincial leaders debate

Mayors of Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie are seen at a NOLUM meeting from late 2024.

The mayors of the largest communities in northern Ontario say highway expansions, more doctors and addictions services are among their key priorities.

Members of the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors (NOLUM) release their key priorities ahead of the Northern Ontario election debate Friday in North Bay.

The group is a coalition of mayors from northern Ontario’s largest cities, including Sault Ste. Marie, North Bay, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timmins.

“NOLUM is advocating for all party leaders to take advantage of this critical opportunity to protect and enhance economic growth in northern Ontario,” the group said in a news release.

Safer roads a priority

“NOLUM mayors know that by building safer roads, investing in public services, and attracting talented workers to our communities, Ontario’s elected representatives can help strengthen Ontario’s economy.”

The mayors want all party leaders to support four-lane highway expansions, HART hubs in each community, 50 new physicians by 2027, and a Northern Talent Attraction Strategy to fill available jobs.

The mayors also want funding for housing “infrastructure that takes into account higher construction costs,” as well as money to offset rising policing costs.

“NOLUM looks forward to working collaboratively with all party leaders and elected representatives to protect our economy and build our communities,” the release said.

NOLUM advocates for policies and initiatives that support economic growth, infrastructure development, and improved quality of life for residents in northern Ontario.