Ottawa, ON – The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) - representing 103 rural and small urban municipalities - participated in the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, held in the City of Ottawa, championing regional municipal priorities.
As municipal infrastructure is a top priority of the EOWC, the caucus thanks Premier Ford for the Province’s additional investment of $1.6 billion as part of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program that supports municipalities to build trade and housing-enabling infrastructure, announced at the conference.
“The AMO Conference continues to be a vital platform for ensuring municipal voices are heard around provincial decision-making tables,” said Chair Bonnie Clark. “We are proud to represent the interests of our 103 municipalities and work toward solutions for our communities with our provincial partners. Now more than ever, we must work together to build a strong Ontario, and that starts in our communities.”
The EOWC kicked off the conference on Sunday, August 17, leading a joint meeting with the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC). The two regional caucuses came together to discuss shared opportunities and challenges facing their collective 220 rural and small urban municipalities across Ontario.
The EOWC and WOWC were honoured to welcome remarks from:
• Pauline Rochefort, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State for Rural Development
• The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs
• Christa Lowry, Chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA)
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was a unified commitment to the Elect Respect campaign, a province-wide initiative advocating for a safe, respectful, and inclusive democratic environment for candidates, elected officials, and public servants. The joint pledge marks a strong stance against harassment and abuse in politics, and a call for higher standards of civility and inclusion in public life. The caucuses encourage all elected officials, organizations, and members of the public to sign the pledge at www.electrespect.ca.
"The EOWC and WOWC are proud to stand together in support of the Elect Respect campaign," said Chair Bonnie Clark. "This pledge is a meaningful step toward ensuring that all voices feel safe and supported in our democratic system."
Productive Meetings with Government and Sector Leaders
Throughout the conference, the EOWC engaged in focused meetings with federal and provincial government leaders, opposition parties, and sector partners, including:
• Parliamentary Secretary, Jennifer McKelvie, Canada’s Ministry of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
• The Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care, Parliamentary Assistant John Jordan, Ministry of Long-Term Care
• Parliamentary Assistant Amarjot Sandhu, Ministry of Infrastructure
• Parliamentary Assistants Bob Bailey and Steve Pinsonneault, Ministry of Rural Affairs
• Premier’s Office (Ottawa Regional Office), Scott Phelan
• Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP)
• Ontario Liberal Party
• Rebecca Bligh, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• Ontario Medical Association
• Hydro One
The EOWC’s Chair, Bonnie Clark, has been appointed as the County Caucus Chair on AMO’s Board of Directors, joining AMO’s Executive Leadership Team to represent Counties’ voices in meetings with the Ontario Government.
The EOWC’s 2025 AMO Advocacy Briefing Package, outlining regional advocacy, data, and recommendations, is available at www.eowc.org.
Media Contacts
Chair Bonnie Clark (Warden of Peterborough County)
info@eowc.org | 705-927-4207
Meredith Staveley-Watson
Director of Government Relations and Policy
info@eowc.org | 647-545-8324
www.eowc.org
