ONTARIO – A group representing rural and small urban communities in southwestern Ontario has identified its key priorities for the coming year.
Members of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) met virtually with MPPs on April 26 to unveil the caucus’s priorities for 2024-25, and to discuss opportunities for collaboration.
The priorities include housing; infrastructure; the workforce; and mental health, addictions and homelessness.
“These four issues have consistently been identified as the primary concerns for small and rural municipalities in Western Ontario,” WOWC chair Glen McNeil said in a news release.
The priority list was adopted unanimously by the caucus earlier in April following a strategic session looking at the most important advocacy issues.
Caucus members also stressed the importance of provincial government support to further advocate for these priorities, the release said.
“The WOWC members agree wholeheartedly on the importance and urgency of collaborating together on these critical issues, and the necessity of speaking with one united voice with our MPPs on behalf of the 1.5 million residents we collectively represent,” WOWC vice-chair and Wellington County Warden Andy Lennox said in the release.
The release went on to provide more detail about each priority area, beginning with housing.
“The WOWC looks forward to continuing this important work through its significant research and ongoing collaboration with regional stakeholders,” Lennox said.
“With our collective regional power, and commitment from our provincial partners, we can advocate and collaborate on these key priorities and find much-needed solutions for our residents and communities.”
