Municipal Leaders Set To Convene In Chatham-Kent For Return Of Ontario West Municipal Conference
by Bob Montgomery
The Executive Director of the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus explains the Western Ontario Municipal Conference has been on a six-year hiatus and it's coming back this year.
Kate Burns Gallagher says the Western Ontario Municipal Conference used to be held in London and it was a partnership between the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. But six years ago there was a change in direction and they were no longer able to host the conference. Burns Gallagher says over the last six years the Western Wardens Caucus has grown and added some staff so now they're able to bring the Western Ontario Municipal Conference back to the region this year.
“In January we have the Rural Ontario Municipal Conference and then in August we have the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and this is Western Ontario specific. So we're looking at items of concern for Western Ontario very specifically, so we've got a session that's looking at the nuclear industry in Western Ontario, we're looking at spheres of jurisdiction when it comes to upper tier and local municipalities.”
The Conference will feature a keynote presentation by Paul Wells, one of Canada's leading political journalists. He was the lead political columnist at Maclean's magazine for 19 years and he's also written for the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, and the National Post. He's also a bestselling author and a regular political commentator on both the French and English-language CBC networks and his new subscription newsletter is already one of the most widely read political newsletters in Canada.
Burns Gallagher says this year’s event features 30 speakers reflecting on the top issues of responsibility for our municipalities. Session topics will focus on the key priorities of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus including, housing, mental health & addictions, workforce, infrastructure and economic development, including a fireside chat with Associate Minister of Housing the Honorable Rob Flack, and Parliamentary Assistant for Municipal Affairs and Housing MPP Matthew Rae.
The Western Ontario Municipal Conference will be held on Friday, October 25th at the John D. Bradley Convention Center in Chatham-Kent. Registration is now open with early bird rates available.
More information about the event can be found on the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus website.
