The 125th Annual Conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) was held from August 18 to August 21 in Ottawa, and Norfolk County officials are pleased to report significant progress in advocating for local priorities.
During the conference, Norfolk County’s delegation, comprised of Mayor Amy Martin, Councillor and Deputy Mayor Chris Van Paassen, and Chief Administrative Officer Al Meneses, participated in discussions with Provincial Cabinet Ministers and their staff. The focus was on critical areas such as affordability, housing, infrastructure, healthcare, financial reform, growth, and economic development. The goal was to raise awareness of Norfolk-specific challenges and opportunities, secure support for Norfolk County’s responsible and balanced development, address residents’ needs, and continue building positive and productive relationships with Ministers.
Key highlights:
- A New Deal for Norfolk: A motion brought forth by Mayor Martin, supported by Council, was discussed that advocated for a redistribution of overall funding to alleviate the financial burden on local residents and ensure Norfolk stands out among Ontario’s 444 municipalities.
- Affordable housing solutions: Discussions highlighted Norfolk’s urgent need for affordable housing options.
- Abandoned gas well solution: The ongoing gas well issue on Forestry Farm Road received attention, re-confirming a commitment for ministries to work together to find a solution as soon as possible.
- Lake Erie shoreline erosion prevention: Strategies to protect the shoreline and funding requests were discussed.
- New hospital funding: Norfolk County advocated for funding to support a new hospital and Campus of Care, including a new long-term care home and a hospice.
More information and conference updates are available at amo.on.ca.
Quote
Mayor Amy Martin
“I value the AMO conference as an opportunity to connect with Ministers, collaborate with municipal peers, and advance our local priorities. On behalf of Norfolk County Council, we are committed to improving our community’s living conditions, amenities, and growth prospects to positively impact Norfolk’s future. Together, by working with other levels of government, we will continue to build a stronger, more vibrant community. As Chair of the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development (SCOR EDC) and a member of the Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus (WOWC), we also assisted in delivering region-wide messages and offering collective solutions for southwestern Ontario.”
