The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) held its annual general meeting and conference from January 18-20, in Toronto where we were proud to represent our members’ interests in delegation meetings. We also had the opportunity to attend plenary and concurrent sessions, and 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 Education and Ministry of Red Tape Reduction focusing on capacity and resourcing concerns of Ontario’s rural communities.
Ministry of Education
We know that municipal clerks are amid planning for municipal and school board elections and that members could be implementing potential changes to school board trustee governance. That’s why, during our delegation with parliamentary assistant Billy Pang, we asked for an update on the school board governance review and shared that changes made after March would affect municipal clerks’ ability to deliver fair, effective, and cost-efficient local trustee elections in October. We also reiterated our request for the ministry to apply an existing provincially designated Professional Activity (PA) Day on municipal and school board election day going forward.
While the ministry did not have any updates about the school board governance review, they heard our concerns regarding the need for a timely decision. Municipal clerks will need to have time to implement any changes, and candidates and voters need to have clarity when making an important democratic decision. PA Pang committed to bringing our concerns back to the ministry.
Ministry for Red Tape Reduction
In our meeting with parliamentary assistants Logan Kanapathi and Joseph Racinsky, we emphasized that updating the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990 (MFIPPA) is an important red tape reduction initiative and asked for the ministry’s support for a comprehensive review of the legislation and regulation. Municipal administrators need legislation that promotes effective local program delivery, is responsive to current technology, and reflects the original intent of open and accountable governance.
We had a productive conversation about how updating MFIPPA including by addressing new, emerging technology, and providing much needed clarity around the use of exemptions, third-party notification, and the interactions between different pieces of legislation, would contribute to overall efficiency and assist municipalities with updating their own information and privacy programs. We look forward to continued conversations with the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction and the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement on this file.
Provincial Speeches and the Ministers' Forum
The ROMA Conference provided delegates with the opportunity to hear from Premier Ford, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, Minister of Rural Affairs Lisa Thompson, NDP Leader Marit Stiles, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, and Liberal Party Rural Affairs Critic Ted Hsu. For the first time, there were two ministers’ forums where delegates also had the opportunity ask questions on “Building Ontario: Finance, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth” and “Investing in People: Health, Social Housing and Social Services.”
Premier Ford's Speech
The Premier’s speech reiterated previously announced funding, programs and policies meant to protect Ontario, support businesses and build infrastructure. He expressed his concerns about the China-Canada electric vehicle agreement made by the federal government recently. He emphasized the importance of unity across various levels of government given economic uncertainty.
Minister Flack’s Speech
Minister Flack addressed delegates reiterating existing investments and the need to build more housing. Of note, he talked about the ongoing challenge of misaligned supply and demand. He spoke about looking at policies and legislation to spur housing, saying it costs too much and takes too long to build. The ministry is looking to further reduce development charges through innovative funding arrangements such as the public corporation model. The speech seemed to indicate an upcoming housing bill that tends to come annually under the Ford Government. Minister Flack also addressed rural infrastructure, and announced that going forward, every program from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will have a dedicated rural component.
Ministers' Forum
Of particular interest to AMCTO members, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlanfalvy was asked about property tax assessment, specifically if the ministry would consider putting a pause on the levies that municipalities pay to support assessment until the next assessment cycle begins. The Minister committed to taking this idea back but did not provide an update on the assessment review.
Minister Flack faced a couple of questions about the changes to OMERS made through Bill 68, Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025. In response, he emphasized that the changes have no impacts to benefits or contributions and are intended to reduce operational costs and increase the transparency of decision-making.
Minister Flack was also asked about when Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act, 2025, will pass through the legislature; specifically, about when regulations, including a standard code of conduct, will be posted and if there will be consultation on the regulations. Minister Flack simply stated that he hopes to get the legislation passed soon and that consultation has occurred through the Standing Committee process.
On infrastructure, a couple of questions spoke to the need for more ongoing support for rural infrastructure. Minister Flack expressed disappointment that some recent government initiatives, such as the Building Faster Fund, fell short of providing support for rural municipalities. He reiterated what was stated in his speech: moving forward every program announced by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will have a rural component.
Opposition Speeches
Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles thanked delegates for their service to their communities. She reiterated her support for the work of the Women of Ontario Say No initiative and talked about the importance of legislation to ensure everyone feels safe at work. She also emphasized the importance of partnership between municipalities and the province.
The Liberal Party’s rural affairs critic, MPP Ted Hsu, talked about how the party wants to be part of the solutions for rural communities and about the concerns he’s heard regarding the new producer-funded recycling model, conservation authority changes, and rural infrastructure.
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner re-stated his party’s commitment to push for a new funding formula for municipalities and discussed his recent bill to create a ‘food belt’ to protect agricultural land in the province.
Moving Forward
The ROMA Conference continues to be an important opportunity for our Association to connect with provincial and municipal leaders to bring the perspective and experiences of rural municipal administrators to the forefront. It is an opportunity to continue to find ways to improve Provincial legislation, policy and processes to ensure more efficient and effective service delivery, and a better overall municipal-provincial partnership.
For more information or details about how to get involved in our advocacy efforts, please contact us.