hydro pole

A city delegation is back from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference and the future of hydro was the focus on the final day.

They met with Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault.

One discussion point was North Bay Hydro, which Mayor Al McDonald says is consistently ranked among the top local distribution corporations in the province.

He says that results in the city remaining competitive with residents enjoying lower electricity rates.

McDonald also says there’s concern about the increasing regulatory requirement and the impact it could have on the city in the future.

Meantime, they also talked about the Atlantic Power Corporation, which has a facility in North Bay.

Officials say it’s an integral part of the economy as an employer, partner, and generator of clean, efficient energy for the grid, but the corporation’s contract is up next year.

The City says they’re frustrated with the lack of progress on renewing the agreement and have asked the province to renew the agreement.

 

Earlier in the week, the city explained they’re hoping to see two land transfers move forward, including the transfer of the waterfront marina property from the Federal Government to the City of North Bay.

Mayor Al McDonald says that was one issue they discussed with Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry at the AMO Conference in Windsor.

“It has to go through the province first, so the Minister is quite agreeable to the transfer to the City of North Bay.” He goes on to say, “currently we pay the Federal Government just over $20,000 a year for that Federal asset.”

The other request involves the Ministry’s office space on Trout Lake, should there be any movement by the Ministry with the new $8-million forest fire suppression hanger at the airport.

McDonald says that would be about enhancing Armstrong Park.

They also met with the Northern Development and Mines minister and talked about transportation challenges, aviation funding criteria and the importance of the film industry and local economic development.

Day two of the conference included a special meeting of the Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors with the ministers of Municipal Affairs, Finance, Transportation, Energy, and Northern Development and Mines.