The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) held its annual general meeting and conference from August 17-20, 2025, in Ottawa where we were proud to represent our members’ interests in delegation meetings, attend plenary and concurrent sessions, and have the chance to connect with municipal professionals and elected officials across the province, including at the conference tradeshow.
Delegations
AMCTO President Danielle Manton advanced our advocacy interests in delegation meetings with the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility.
Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement
This was our first opportunity to meet with the Honourable Stephen Crawford since he took on the role of Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement in March.
As you may recall, at AMO last year, the Ministry committed to a comprehensive review of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) within a year. At our delegation this year, we sought an update on this important initiative and called on the Minister to launch a comprehensive review of MFIPPA this fall.
We highlighted the urgency of a comprehensive review of MFIPPA, especially in light of pending changes to Ontario’s privacy framework through Bill 194. We emphasized that municipal staff need modern legislation to ensure they have the tools to promote good governance in their communities.
Minister Crawford and his team committed to reviewing the legislation. We reiterated our dedication to support the government with this initiative and will continue to persist in advocating for this thorough review and update of the legislation.
Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
This was also our first time meeting with the Honourable Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. We asked the Minister about:
- His plans to support the municipal sector in building capacity to continue to make Ontario more accessible;
- If there were plans for regulatory amendments to address the recommendations of various standards review committees; and
- What the Ministry’s plans are for accessibility beyond 2025.
We also raised concerns from our members regarding the auditing and reporting processes that many are currently undergoing.
Minister Cho and his staff expressed interest in further dialogue on the accessibility audit process, and we welcome the opportunity to continue engaging with ministry officials on this important topic.
Provincial Speeches and the Ministers' Forum
The AMO Conference provided delegates with the opportunity to hear from Premier Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma, and opposition leaders. Delegates also had the opportunity to sit in on the Ministers’ Forum, where members of council could ask the Cabinet general municipal questions.
Premier Ford's Speech
During his speech, Premier Ford spoke about U.S. President Trump, trade and tariffs, and working with others to build a strong Canadian economy, noting he met with Prime Minister Carney while in Ottawa. He focused on the government’s infrastructure commitments and his continued interest in investing in the extraction of critical minerals. Premier Ford called on municipalities to eliminate development charges to help spur development and lower the cost of housing in communities. He also announced an additional $1.6 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which provides funding for core infrastructure projects such as roads and water systems.
Ministers' Forum
Of particular interest to AMCTO members, several questions during the Ministers’ Forum were focused on Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act, 2025, and when the sector can expect to see the legislation implemented. While Minister Flack did not give any sense of whether changes will be made to what was initially proposed, he said that the Bill will continue to go through the legislative process and that the Standing Committee will review all feedback received.
Minister Flack also told delegates that he intends to consult with the municipal sector to “extend and improve” the Building Faster Fund, including ensuring the fund is reflective of the current market and encouraging municipalities to cut development charges.
Our members may also be interested to hear that Minister of Finance Peter Bethlanfalvy was asked about the ‘heads in beds’ funding formula and if the government was considering making changes to increase these amounts. He claimed that while he is not currently considering making any changes, he will continue to listen.
Finally, Minister of Education Paul Calandra stated that he is considering major changes to the school board governance model, including considering having the province take on more responsibilities. We will continue to monitor these changes related to their potential impacts on school board elections.
Moving Forward
The AMO Conference continues to be an important opportunity for our Association to connect with provincial and municipal leaders. We will be following up on Minister Crawford and Minister Cho’s commitments and look forward to continuing these conversations to advocate on our members’ behalf.
For more information or details about how to get involved in our advocacy efforts, please contact us.