Mayor Bill Mauro, along with Red River Ward Councillor Brian McKinnon and City Manager Norm Gale, are representing Thunder Bay at the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO).
The conference runs this year from Aug. 16 to 18, and is in a virtual format because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some of the main focuses for the Thunder Bay delegation include mental health and addiction, the Thunder Bay Expressway, and the current status of the bid for the 2024 Ontario Winter Games.
Mayor Bill Mauro says there has already been a discussion with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones, discussing one of the most significant issues facing Thunder Bay.
“We did talk about emergency services resources and how overwhelmed our paramedics, our police, and our fire are in terms of first response, but spent most of the time talking to her about the mental health and addiction piece as well.”
Mayor Mauro went on to mention that mental health and addiction problems are increasing across Northwestern Ontario.
Another point of interest for Thunder Bay is the city bid for the 2024 Ontario Winter Games.
Mauro goes on to say discussions are ongoing, and explains how important this would be for the city.
“This would be big in 2024, if we’re successful it’s the 50th anniversary since the city of Thunder Bay has last hosted the Ontario Winter Games,” says Mauro. “We know how good we are at this, the city of Thunder Bay has supported this bid both corporately and through the Community Economic Development Commission.”
The Thunder Bay delegation have meetings secured or already completed with:
• Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism & Thunder Bay
Expressway/Northwest Arterial Project Culture Industries
• Solicitor General
• Attorney General
• Minister of Health
• Minister of Transportation
• Minister of Infrastructure
The AMO Conference has become one of the largest municipal conferences in Canada, attracting over
2000 municipal leaders.
