THUNDER BAY – A delegation from the City of Thunder Bay is feeling that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario was a success. Thunder Bay’s key priorities were brought to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference in Ottawa this week.
Thunder Bay’s key priorities were brought to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference in Ottawa this week.
A delegation led by Mayor Keith Hobbs, along with Councillor Joe Virdiramo, Chair – Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, Councillor Iain Angus and City Manager Norm Gale brought forward 18 community issues to lobby for action and/or funding for Thunder Bay.
“This conference is an important opportunity for the City of Thunder Bay to meet with Provincial Ministries and advocate for our community’s needs,” said Mayor Hobbs. “We discussed some critical community issues and priorities, and we are confident they were well received.”
The Thunder Bay delegation secured meetings with Provincial Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, and the Opposition Parties, including:
- Martin, Robin, Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
- Hardeman, Hon. Ernie – Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
- Jones, Hon. Sylvia – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
- Mulroney, Hon. Caroline – Attorney General
- Phillips, Hon. Rod – Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
- Ross Romano, Parliamentary Assistant, Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines
- Scott, Hon. Laurie – Minister of Labour
- Thompson, Hon. Lisa M. – Minister of Education
- Tibollo, Hon. Michael A. – Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
- Wilson, Hon. Jim – Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
- John Fraser, Interim Leader, Ontario Liberal Party
- Andrea Horwath, Leader, New Democratic Party
The topic of priorities covered:
- Alternate Level of Care
- Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act
- Community Hubs
- Golf Links/Junot Avenue Corridor
- Immigration challenges
- Mining, energy and infrastructure
- Multi-Purpose Correctional Facility
- Next Generation 9-1-1
- Non-urgent medical transportation
- North Harbour Mercury Contamination
- Seven Youth Inquest Recommendations 114, 115 and 116
- Shelter House operations, Managed Alcohol program and Street Outreach Services
- Taxation-Heads and Beds levy
- Taxation-Municipal Tax Policy decisions
- Taxation-Provincial Offences (POA) fines
- Taxation-Railway Right of Way
The delegation also attended meetings with members of the Northern Ontario Municipal Association and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
The AMO Conference has become one of the largest municipal conferences in Canada, attracting over 1,900 municipal leaders. The Conference provides the opportunity for Municipalities to meet directly with Ontario Ministries on community-specific issues.
The Conference included a Minister’s forum where all Provincial Minister’s addressed delegates, as well as a keynote from Premier Doug Ford. There was also an industry tradeshow and many concurrent educational session
