Three Belleville councillors attended the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto this week where cannabis, infrastructure and rural economic development were some of the main issues.
In a statement, Councillor Ryan Williams says, “There is certainly strength in numbers and of the 425 Ontario municipalities, over 420 are rural.”
Williams says that, at the conference, he has learned about a possible new program that could help solve a few Business Retention and Expansion survey problems for Belleville.
“I certainly feel that I have learned some best practices when it comes to planning and economic development that I will bring back to council…”
Councillor Pat Culhane felt the question and answer sessions with the provincial government ministers were some of the most interesting parts. Culhane says there were multiple “rural related speeches, one that spoke of the need to value your employees as the single most important asset of your corporation.”
Councillor Sean Kelly enjoyed the conference as a new councillor. “It was a learning experience to attend ROMA, especially as a rookie councillor bringing back knowledge and ideas, and it was a great opportunity to network.”
Abut 1,200 municipal politicians attended the conference where topics discussed included the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) doctor shortage, long term care, planning and skilled immigration.
