Municipal leaders highlight Highway 11/17 modernization as critical to safety, supply chains, and economic growth
TORONTO — NetNewsLedger Mining Coverage (PDAC 2026) — The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) says its presence at PDAC 2026 delivered strong momentum on key regional priorities, following several days of meetings with mining leaders, government officials, and national media stakeholders in Toronto.
NOMA board members and staff participated in multiple engagements at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, connecting with mining companies, service providers, and industry partners while reinforcing Northwestern Ontario’s role in supporting Ontario and Canada’s resource economy.
Luncheon meeting connects Northern priorities with federal and provincial leaders
During the convention, NOMA attended the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) luncheon, alongside federal and provincial representatives including Minister Stephen Lecce, Minister Patty Hajdu, Minister Kevin Holland, Minister George Pirie, and MP Marcus Powlowski, as well as Thunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff.
NOMA says discussions focused on Northern Ontario’s increasing importance in supply chains, resource development, and long-term economic growth.
Joint meeting with Globe and Mail Editorial Board spotlights Highway 11 and 17
A central element of NOMA’s advocacy included a joint meeting with the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) and the Globe and Mail Editorial Board, where leaders emphasized the need to accelerate modernization of Highways 11 and 17—key east-west corridors that impact public safety, economic resilience, and national connectivity.
“Highways 11 and 17 are more than transportation routes, they are lifelines for our communities and critical to Canada’s economy,” said Rick Dumas, NOMA President and Mayor of Marathon. “We need a coordinated, long-term commitment from all orders of government to ensure these corridors are safe, reliable, and built to support the future of Northern Ontario.”
Transportation minister meeting raises need for coordinated action
On the sidelines of the PDAC trade show, Dumas also met with Federal Minister of Transportation Steven MacKinnon to discuss the future of the two highways and the need to bring federal and provincial governments together to advance improvements.
NOMA says the conversation included a call for a more coordinated approach to ensure long-term safety, reliability, and economic resilience across Northern Ontario, along with discussion of a possible dual-use designation reflecting the highways’ importance for both regional travel and national supply chain movement.
“PDAC provided an important platform to connect Northern priorities with national conversations. Investment in Highways 11 and 17 is essential to unlocking economic development, supporting resource projects, and ensuring the safety of residents and travellers across the North,” said Wendy Landry, Mayor of Shuniah, NOMA Past President, and Co-Chair of the Northern Ontario Transportation Task Force (2022–2023).
Meetings with Ontario ministers continue infrastructure and safety talks
NOMA and FONOM also met with Ontario ministers Prabmeet Sarkaria, George Pirie, and Kevin Holland to continue discussions on highway safety, infrastructure modernization, and stronger provincial collaboration.
NOMA says it will continue building on the PDAC momentum through ongoing advocacy with governments and partners to keep Northwestern Ontario’s priorities “front and centre.”
