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Last week, Mayor Thorne Rochon, along with Councillors Rivard, Larabie, and Pharand, represented West Nipissing at the 2025 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference in Toronto. The ROMA conference plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of rural municipalities, ensuring their unique needs are heard and considered in provincial decision-making.

As part of their participation, council members presented two important delegations at the conference, addressing pressing infrastructure challenges in the community.

The first delegation, with Kevin Holland, Associate Minister of Forestry and Forest Products, discussed the urgent need for repairs to Gibbons Road in River Valley. Currently impassable due to a significant culvert washout, Gibbons Road serves as a resource road under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The delegation emphasized the road’s vital role in maintaining public safety as an alternate route for residents during emergencies. The Ministry responded positively, committing to begin construction to repair the road in late spring or early summer.

The second delegation met with Hon. Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, to advocate for funding opportunities for the Verner Water Project. The proposed project aims to address ongoing challenges with potable water treatment in Verner by constructing a new water main to connect Verner to the water treatment plant in Sturgeon Falls. This timely meeting coincided with the Ontario government’s announcement of a promising new funding stream for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Our Director of Infrastructure Services and Water and Wastewater Manager will work on preparing an application to request this funding.

Municipal representatives also took part in regional discussions and seminars addressing topics such as cellular access in remote areas, natural gas and broadband expansion, and OPP costing.

“These meetings are a great opportunity to speak with colleagues from all over the province, who often face many of the same challenges,” said Mayor Thorne-Rochon. “This was a valuable experience for me, and I believe for all of Council.”


To learn more about ROMA, visit ROMA.ON.CA

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