Believing more assistance is needed in the coming years, the Western Ontario wardens’ caucus continued to advocate for its critical priorities during a recent provincial conference.
Believing more assistance is needed in the coming years, the Western Ontario wardens’ caucus continued to advocate for its critical priorities during a recent provincial conference.
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During the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference this past week, representatives took part in meetings focused on housing, workforce development, mental health, addictions and homelessness.
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WOWC chair Glen McNeil said the delegations were well received, with members “respectful but firm in our dialogue” with the government.
“(We outlined) very clearly where we supported the government’s initiatives, while emphasizing the unique needs and improvements required in the many rural and small urban communities across western Ontario,” he said in a release.
“We reiterated the WOWC’s desire to continue building our relationship and collaborating with the provincial government and presented a series of recommendations based on significant research conducted with regional stakeholders over the past year.”
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Thousands of rural municipal delegates gathered in Toronto for various workshops, as well as discussions with provincial ministers and opposition parties.
“The WOWC’s recommendations included permanent, predictable funding for mental health and addictions; increased consultation with rural and small urban municipalities regarding housing legislation; measures to address and better prepare for future workforce gaps and an increase to the leave-to-construct threshold for hydrocarbon projects,” Mayor Jim Ginn, chair of WOWC economic development committee, said.
Meeting with the warden caucus delegation included Paul Calandra, minister of municipal affairs and housing; Michael Kerzner, solicitor general; Parm Gill, minister of red tape reduction; Deepak Anand, parliamentary assistant to the minister of labor, immigration, training and skills development; and Stéphane Sarrazin, parliamentary assistant to the minister of energy.
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The caucus also met separately with MPP Marit Stiles, leader of the Ontario NDP; the Ontario Liberal Party; MPP Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario; and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady.
“We would like to thank the many provincial representatives for attending these delegations, engaging in constructive dialogue with us, and demonstrating how they value our priorities,” stated WOWC warden Andy Lennox, of Wellington County.
“We are adamant that the work being conducted by the WOWC – and the recommendations being made – will serve as a model for the entire province, and we plan to continue our advocacy over the coming months in order to ensure that rural and small urban Western Ontario receives the support and recognition it deserves.”
The WOWC is a not-profit organization representing 15 upper and single-tier municipalities in southwestern Ontario, representing more than 1.5 million residents
Mayor Amy Martin, of Norfolk County, said the caucus appreciated the government’s willingness to hear its perspectives, adding “this excellent co-operation among governments will only continue to foster our collective success.”
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