Norfolk County delegates meet with over 15 ministries at AMO Conference

Norfolk County delegates met with more than 15 provincial ministries during the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa, held August 16 to 19.  

Despite travel delays and logistical challenges, Norfolk delegates successfully advanced key priorities and held productive discussions with provincial leaders. 

Highlights from the conference include:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness – Norfolk provided updates on its pending urban boundary expansion plan, advocated for local business expansion opportunities, and discussed the importance of agribusiness supports.

• Ministry of Health – Discussed public health risks related to abandoned gas wells, with support from Dr. Jason Malenfant, the new Medical Officer of Health for Grand Erie Public Health. Norfolk invited the ministry to participate in a multi-ministerial meeting to develop solutions. In addition, Norfolk discussed the recent public health merger, physician recruitment, and the prospect of a future health care campus.

• Attorney General – Addressed challenges with collecting outstanding Provincial Offences Act fines. The Attorney General expressed strong interest in exploring partnerships with the Canada Revenue Agency to improve collection, a positive step forward for municipalities.

• Ministry of Sport – Raised concerns about aging arena and recreational infrastructure. Norfolk was encouraged to continue pursuing provincial grant opportunities, which the County is actively doing. 

• Ministry of Indigenous Affairs – Received updates on provincial efforts to support communities navigating Duty to Consult processes and other important issues impacting Norfolk.  

• Ministry of Finance – Norfolk renewed its request for a redistribution of provincial revenues (income tax and consumption tax revenue sharing) or full sales tax rebates for municipalities. Delegates suggested that eligibility requirements could be put in place to ensure funds are spent on core needs. The ministry engaged in constructive dialogue on this proposal.  

• Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery – Engaged in productive discussions concerning privately-owned natural gas infrastructure. Norfolk received assurances that the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is monitoring potential risks and has proactive plans in place to ensure safety and reliability of services.

• Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development – Delegates advocated for more apprenticeship and training opportunities in agriculture and skilled trades, as well as improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker program to meet labour demands across multiple sectors, including hospitality and tourism. Productive and instructive discussion on service industries within Norfolk and the needs to create programs to help those important Norfolk employers.

• Ministry of Natural Resources – Discussed concerns with gas wells on Forestry Farm Road and emphasized the need for a coordinated, multi-ministerial approach to address health and environmental risks. Encouraging dialogue and commitment from the province to work in collaboration with Norfolk and other provincial ministries to find a solution. 

Additional meetings were held with the Ministers of Red Tape Reduction, Tourism and Gaming, Rural Affairs, and Infrastructure. Norfolk also participated in advocacy sessions alongside the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation (SCOR EDC) and the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC).  

A full AMO report will be brought forward to Council in September.