One issue dominated discussions at a recent Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities board meeting in North Bay.

President Alan Spacek says that was energy prices.

Concern about this issue started with businesses struggling to remain competitive, but they’re not the only ones feeling the pain.

Spacek says municipalities and residents, especially seniors who live on a fixed income, are as well.

He says the impact of high energy prices is wide ranging whether it’s the cost of fuel for trucks, owning a municipal facility like a library or an arena and even building affordable housing.

Spacek says they will be discussing the issue with provincial officials at the upcoming annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto next week.

He says the government needs to recognize the scope of the problem and everyone must work together to find solutions.