EOWC Advocates Strongly for Priorities at ROMA Conference

Toronto, January 23, 2020 – The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) met with many Provincial officials during the 2020 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference to discuss issues and challenges faced by member municipalities across rural eastern Ontario.

Led by Chair Andy Letham and Vice-Chair Rick Phillips, the Caucus exchanged with various Ministers on its key priorities, including the Provincial Health System overhaul, expansion of broadband services, affordable housing, long-term care funding, child care funding, and joint and several liability.

The Ministers and MPPs in attendance were:

• Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure
• Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Deputy Premier
• Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
• Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education
• Jim McDonell, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Parm Gill, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Members highlighted to the Province that the EOWC continues to be very active in informing the ongoing Provincial modernization consultations and participating in legislation reviews.

“The EOWC is committed to being the government’s municipal voice and expert, and we pride ourselves on our ability to offer advice and support from a local lens,” stated Chair Letham. “We also appreciate the government’s willingness to hear our concerns and our perspectives.”

The EOWC also met with members of the NDP Caucus as part of the conference and updated the Official Opposition on recent advocacy work.

“Throughout ROMA, the EOWC made its voice heard and our message was clear: let’s work together to make Eastern Ontario an even greater place to live and work, and a model for all of Ontario,” concluded Vice-Chair Phillips.

The EOWC members joined more than 1,000 participants from across rural Ontario at the annual ROMA Conference, which took place from January 19 to 21 in Toronto.

For more information, please contact:
EOWC Communications, info@eowc.org
Andy Letham, Chair, aletham@kawarthalakes.ca
Rick Phillips, Vice-Chair, warden@hastingscounty.com