August 16, 2017 - 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 Councillor Joe Virdiramo, Chair - Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, along with Norm Gale, City Manager brought forward 11 community issues to lobby for action and/or funding for Thunder Bay. 

"This was a productive conference," said Councillor Virdiramo. "The Ministries were engaged in our priorities and our issues were well received. They were well-versed in our discussions which confirm that our lobbying, briefs and the work of our Members of Legislature are making an impact."

The Thunder Bay delegation secured meetings with Provincial Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, and the Opposition Parties, including:

  • Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour
  • Marie-France Lalonde , Minister of Community Safety & Correctional Services
  • David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations & Reconciliation 
  • Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health & Long-Term Care
  • Michael Couteau, Minister of Children & Youth Services - Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism
  • Lou Rinaldi , Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs
  • Nathalie Des Rosiers , Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Housing
  • Andrea Horwath, Leader, NDP Caucus
  • Patrick Brown, Leader Progressive Conservative Caucus and MPP Ernie Hardeman

Topic of priorities covered:

  • Bill 148, Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017
  • Community Safety and Well Being 
  • Joint Mobile Crisis Response Service
  • Mining Readiness
  • Municipal Infrastructure - proposed action plan for 1% sales tax
  • Next Generation 9-1-1
  • Office of Indigenous Relations
  • Public Waterway and Public Space Safety
  • Railway Right of Way Taxation
  • Shelter House (MAP/SOS/Operations)
  • Taxation - Heads and Beds

The delegation also attended meetings with Northern Ontario Municipal Association, Northern Ontario Large Urban Mayors, Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities, Large Urban Mayor's Caucus of Ontario and the Mayors and Regional Chairs 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.

Themed "Main Street Meets Globalization", the Conference included programming with expert keynote speakers, an industry tradeshow and 18 concurrent educational sessions for delegates ranging from Digital Government and Rural Community Infrastructure, to Diversity, and Transparency and Accountability. 

- 30 -

Contact:  Councillor Joe Virdiramo, Chair - Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, 628-6878