From Highway Reconstruction to Immigration and Recruitment:
How the City’s AMO Delegation Pushed Northern Priorities at AMO 2023

Mayor Michelle Boileau met with Ministers and provincial staff this week to advocate for three key City priorities focused on improving vital infrastructure, strengthening physician recruitment, and enhancing supports for mental health and addictions.

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario's 2023 AMO Conference in London allowed municipal leaders to bring the City’s opportunities and challenges direct to the province. The City of Timmins delegation included Mayor Boileau and Councillors Steven Black, John Curley, Kristin Murray and Cory Robin, who joined more than 2,000 participants from municipalities and organizations across the province.

“There are concerns that are unique to Northern Ontario,” said Mayor Boileau. “We are strategic in our conversations. We come prepared to promote solutions that are tangible and achievable with support from the Province, and we are fortunate to have a Member of Provincial Parliament who joins us in advocating on behalf of our community. I want to thank Minister George Pirie for attending our municipal delegations to support Timmins.”

Conversations with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation senior officials identified the need for assistance with potential cost of reconstruction for Hwy. 67 (Municipal Rd.), a joint ask from the Town of Iroquois Falls.

The City’s delegation brought forward the need for day and evening treatment programming to Associate Minister of Health, Michael Tibollo, to enhance supports for mental health and addictions in the community. This is a request often discussed at the local level with service agencies to help reinforce treatment options.

Conversations on immigration and the need for a dedicated provincial stream through the Province Nominee Program, were also held to assist efforts for physician recruitment and labour development.

“We have recommended a Northern specific immigration stream, which would help fill local labour gaps specific to our region,” adds Mayor Boileau. “This would build on the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) and could be used to prioritize permanent residency applications based on our labour market needs.”

Mayor Boileau was also able to present City Council’s term priorities to ministers and senior provincial staff, which include housing, a focus of this year’s AMO conference. As the province continues to tackle the housing crisis, Council plans to encourage development, prioritize supportive housing, and work with all levels of government to build more homes.

Learn more about how City Council’s term priorities at: https://bit.ly/455ZC8g

The City of Timmins, Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of hydrant flushing/watermain cleaning activities in the following areas.

Area: Hallnor Rd including the Porcupine Area
Date of Disruption: August 18, 2023

Homeowners and businesses may experience short-term loss in water pressure or experience brown or rust-coloured water following the testing. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with the discoloured water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn off your tap for 10-20 minutes in order to allow the crew to complete the test. Once the test is complete and the work crew has left the area, turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.

City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.

The City of Timmins, Environmental Services Department wishes to advise the public of hydrant flushing/watermain cleaning activities in the following areas.

Area:
• Mountjoy St. North & MacLean Dr. East to Hwy. 655 and North of Brousseau Ave
• Flushing Westward from Shirley St to Jaguar Rd (North and South)

Time of Disruption:
• Ongoing for the month of August, updated August 17, 2023

Homeowners and businesses may experience short-term loss in water pressure or experience brown or rust-coloured water following the testing. It is recommended not to drink or wash laundry with the discoloured water. While it is not harmful to your health, it can stain laundry. Should this occur, it is advised to turn off your tap for 10-20 minutes in order to allow the crew to complete the test. Once the test is complete and the work crew has left the area, turn on the COLD water tap closest to the source (usually your laundry tub tap) and let it run for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the water colour has returned to normal.

City staff would like to thank residents for their patience and co-operation during this necessary process, and advise that if there are any questions, concerns or requests for additional information, they may contact the Service Timmins at 705-264-1331. After-hours emergencies should be directed to 705-264-1201.

City of Timmins Recreation and Maintenance would like to advise the public that the Hollinger splash pad is closed until further notice for repairs.

We will advise the public when it has re-opened.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 

The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department, Waste Management Division, wishes to inform the public that waste and recycling carts that are normally scheduled for pick up on Thursday August 10, 2023, will be delayed or postponed until tomorrow, Friday August 11, 2023.

There will be a crew working this evening until 8pm. If your carts are not collected today, please have them curbside no later than 7:30 AM, Friday August 11, 2023.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience.

The Enforcement Services Department wishes to inform the public that parking will be disrupted temporarily due to parking lot repaving at Cedar South Lot (behind Timmins Flower Shop) beginning Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

Repaving of select municipal parking lots will increase safety by eliminating uneven ground. Additional parking signage will also be added to provide clear and concise parking instruction.

Please familiarize yourself with alternate City parking locations before construction begins.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.

The City of Timmins Environmental Services Department, Waste Management Division, wishes to inform the public that waste and recycling carts that are normally scheduled for pick up on Wednesday August 9, 2023, will be delayed or postponed until tomorrow, Thursday August 10, 2023.

There will be a crew working this evening until 8pm tonight to continue the collection from Tuesday and Wednesday. If your carts are not collected today, please have them curbside no later than 7:30 AM, Thursday August 10, 2023.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience.

L-R: Feather Metatwabin, Christina Kioke, Sabrina Vincent, Mayor Michelle Boileau, Councillor Cory Robin, Jennifer Constant, Angie Bourgeois, Roxanne Martin, and Hazel Esquat

Timmins ON - On July 31, 2023, I had the privilege to meet with over 24 community members representing nine Indigenous service agencies and organizations that operate within the city of Timmins. The purpose was to discuss the safety and well-being of their clients, colleagues, families, and friends.

The discussion was difficult. Their experiences of racism, marginalization, trauma, and fear are disheartening. These conversations are necessary, however, to understand how and why Timmins needs to improve.

What gave me hope was the sincere request for accountability, action, and understanding. Everyone in attendance came with a purpose and a plan. Recommendations included trauma training for City Council; a review of past, present, and future municipal policies to ensure fairness and equity; and, anti-stigma communication to highlight Indigenous success stories and role models. We spoke of how the City can support cross-cultural education and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents, including new Canadians. We identified the need for affordable housing and for clarification around property standards and enforcement.

There was mention of ‘movement and milestones’ – the need for action now to foster well-being, and the need for long-term planning of solution-based initiatives, which can help to empower the Indigenous community. One ask was for an increase in Indigenous-led, culture-based outreach that Council had also identified. A contract for the City’s Outreach Services pilot project has since been awarded to Mushkegowuk Fire Keeper Patrol to start later this month.

Council remains committed to delivering on the calls to action for Truth and Reconciliation, addressing human needs, and establishing an economic alliance with Indigenous partners.

Sincerely,

Mayor Michelle Boileau, City of Timmins