For the first time in the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s history, the conference is going entirely online.
Ontario’s largest municipal conference will once again bring together municipal, provincial and federal officials to work collectively to overcome municipal challenges and plan for the future – despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk, Councillor Ryan Williams and CAO Rod Bovay will join more than 1,000 participants in the conference from Monday, August 17 to Wednesday, August 19.
Mayor Panciuk says there are a couple of things the City of Belleville will be focusing on this year.
“There’s an opportunity in three different sessions this year where we can have a round table with cabinet ministers, so Minister Steve Clark, who is the Minister of Municipal Affairs will go through those, and we’ll have a chance to hear directly from the ministers about what is going on in other departments and how it’s being affected going forward, and an opportunity for some dialogue.”
He says the one challenge will be using the technology as some municipalities do not have the same internet service as others but Panciuk maintains he is cautiously optimistic and they will see how it goes.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison says they weren’t sure the conference was going to go ahead so they don’t have any delegations themselves, but there are a number of issues they will be watching closely.
He says one issue he’s sure to bring up with Christine Elliott, the Minister of Health and Deputy Premier is dialysis, but he noted there is more than just that to discuss.
“It could be hospitals, it could be doctor shortages, it could be any number of things they want to talk about, there are a lot of issues in health care”
Keynote presenters include Ontario Premier Doug Ford and key ministers, NDP Leader Andrea Horwath (Leader of the Official Opposition), new Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, and AMO President Jamie McGarvey.
The Eastern Ontario Mayors Caucus will be meeting with the Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Deputy Premier on Monday, August 17 and with the Hon. Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care on Tuesday, July 18.
The annual conference is a chance for municipal officials to discuss and move forward on shared challenges, to learn, and to create new opportunities that can benefit their communities. In addition to the conference program, municipal staff and officials will take part in virtual municipal delegation meetings with provincial ministries.
