During the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa this week, County of Renfrew officials had an opportunity to attend several delegation meetings, including one with the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health. Also attending the meeting (from left) were Chief Administrative Officer Craig Kelley; Dean Quade, Director of Long-Term Care; Beth Brownlee, Vice-President Clinical and Support Services, Chief Nursing Executive at Pembroke Regional Hospital; Councillor Michael Donohue, Health Committee Chair; Minister Jones; Warden Jennifer Murphy; Councillor Anne Giardini; Community Services Committee Chair; Jason Davis, Director of Development and Property; Andrea Patrick, Director of Community Services and Paramedic Chief Michael Nolan, Director of Emergency Services. County of Renfrew photo
Renfrew County officials used this week’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference in Ottawa to press the provincial government for investments in infrastructure, housing, health care, transportation and other regional priorities.
County councillors and senior staff took part in seven meetings with provincial ministries during the conference, held Aug. 16 to 19.
Warden Jennifer Murphy said the annual gathering gives rural municipalities an opportunity to make their concerns heard directly by provincial decision-makers.
Among the county’s priorities was tax policy reform that would allow municipalities to reinvest HST savings into infrastructure that supports housing. County officials also sought funding for a study examining ways to modernize municipal services and improve efficiency while keeping costs affordable for taxpayers.
During a meeting with the Ministry of Health, the county discussed seniors’ housing and funding for Mesa, a community-based model that connects vulnerable residents with mental health, addictions, housing and health-care supports.
The county also called for improvements to electrical grid infrastructure to support investment in agriculture and forestry and strengthen energy security.
Highway 17 was another focus, with county officials advocating for strategic investments to improve safety and transportation and trade connections. They said the corridor also plays an important role in national defence, nuclear innovation and regional economic development.
Forestry was raised with the Ministry of Natural Resources, with the county seeking greater support for biomass development, low-grade fibre utilization, public education and regulatory changes intended to sustain rural jobs and responsible forest management.
County officials also urged the province to renew the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, saying affordable child care is important to working families.
With housing and employment growth expected to increase in some communities because of federal nuclear and defence projects, the county also called for a new Strategic Growth Communities Fund to help municipalities address infrastructure demands associated with that growth.
Murphy said the county’s priorities require co-operation among municipal, provincial and federal governments.
County representatives also supported local municipal partners during their own AMO meetings and networking opportunities with provincial officials.
The county said Murphy also thanked Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault for his ongoing support and engagement on issues affecting residents.
AMO represents almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipalities and advocates on behalf of local governments on policy, funding and other issues.
(Steve Berard)
