Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Releases Regional Priorities For Provincial Election Candidates

by Bob Montgomery

In advance of the 44th Ontario general election scheduled for February 27th, the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) has released a comprehensive briefing package for election candidates across all major provincial parties.

Executive Director Kate Burns Gallagher says the briefing package details the regional priorities outlined in the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus 2025-2027 Strategic Plan. “That first priority is obviously housing and really pushing for that fair shake for rural communities. The stats don't lie and they show that we are out-performing Toronto, Hamilton and even the province as a whole when it comes to building housing and when it comes to population growth, so we have to make sure that we get our fair share of the funding when it comes to housing.”

The next priority is infrastructure and rural Ontario has to get the dollars from the province there too for hydro, natural gas, water and wastewater. Workforce is another priority and it's essential that rural Ontario communities have the workforce to support the growth in those communities. And last but not least, they have to make sure they have the resources in rural Ontario to support mental health issues and homelessness so than can take care of people in their home communities.

“The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus has for many years been the united voice of small and rural municipalities across Western Ontario,” stated WOWC Vice-Chair Kevin Marriott. “Our organization has made significant progress in addressing housing, infrastructure, workforce development, and the critical issues of mental health, addictions and homelessness.”

Vice-Chair Marriott further concluded, “The priorities identified by the WOWC are without a doubt the core issues and recommendations that should be at the forefront of any discussions held with election candidates across rural Western Ontario in the coming weeks – and furthermore should form the basis of future provincial policy priorities for the elected candidates.”

More information about the briefing package can be found at www.wowc.ca.