North Bay, ON – Jan. 22, 2024 – A delegation from the City of North Bay will be meeting with provincial officials in Toronto over the next two days as part of the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Annual Conference.
The conference is an opportunity for provincial and municipal leaders to come together and work collaboratively on issues impacting rural and small urban communities. North Bay’s delegation includes senior staff and several members of City Council.
Scheduled meetings include discussions with Ministry of Health officials, focusing on physician recruitment and addressing challenges related to mental health, addictions, and homelessness. Additionally, the City delegation will meet with Ministry of Transportation officials to discuss connecting link infrastructure, and with Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding enhanced coordination between the Endangered Species Act and the province's Planning Act.
With over 1,600 participants from as many as 300 municipalities and organizations across Ontario, the ROMA conference features speakers, sessions, and workshops that relate to rural municipal responsibilities.
Under the theme "Closer to Home," this year's conference places a spotlight on rural access to primary health care. ROMA will present research, findings, and recommendations aimed at establishing an integrated and sustainable healthcare system across rural Ontario.
About ROMA:
ROMA takes pride in promoting, supporting and enhancing strong and effective rural governments. About 270 of Ontario's 444 municipalities have populations of less than 10,000, while scores more are rural in character. The rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, ROMA advocates for policies and programs that will help build thriving rural Ontario communities.