OTTAWA – The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus met with provincial leaders during the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference to strengthen partnerships and advocate for key priorities.
The caucus’s key focus areas for the 2024 to 2025 year include housing, infrastructure, workforce to support economic growth, and mental health, addictions and homelessness, a news release said.
The wardens, who represent single-tier municipalities in rural western Ontario, including Wellington County, engaged in productive discussions with provincial ministers and opposition parties during the Aug. 18-to-21 conference, it said.
“During our recent delegations with provincial representatives, we were pleased with the positive response to our discussions,” caucus chair Glen McNeil stated in the release.
“We emphasized the unique needs of our rural and smaller communities across western Ontario, underscoring that the support required in these areas differs significantly from the needs of urban centers. Our recommendations aim to ensure that these distinct challenges are effectively addressed by the government.”
In advance of the conference, WOWC members engaged closely with regional MPPs and senior provincial staff to present comprehensive briefings, research, and recommendations on key priority issues.
Some of the asks from the province include equity for rural municipalities when it comes to housing infrastructure funding; funding for rural transportation and child care; and Homelessness Prevention Program funding allocated for small and rural communities.
Representatives at the caucus’s delegations included Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma, Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, and Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development parliamentary assistant Patrice Barnes. The caucus also met separately with Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles, Ontario Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie, and Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner.
“The WOWC remains committed to ensuring that our research and insights help inform policies across the province,” caucus vice-chair Andy Lennox stated in the release.
“We value the constructive dialogue with our provincial partners and are hopeful that these discussions will lead to tangible outcomes. Our advocacy for rural Western Ontario will continue with the goal of securing the support our communities need to thrive.”
For more information on the caucus and its priorities, visit wowc.ca.
