Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs will join more than 2,500 municipal representatives in Ottawa from August 17 to 20 for the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference.
The conference brings together leaders from across the province to discuss opportunities and challenges facing Ontario’s communities. With more than 50 sessions, workshops, and learning lunches, the program will cover topics such as housing, economic development, municipal finance, and resilience through technology.
Presenters include Ontario Premier Doug Ford and cabinet ministers, opposition leaders, AMO President Robin Jones, and other notable figures. Award-winning political journalist Andrew Coyne will deliver the keynote address.
For Grey County, the annual gathering is also an important opportunity to speak directly with provincial ministries about local priorities. County delegates will participate in four official delegations.
On August 18, the first meeting with the Ministry of Health will focus on base funding for community paramedicine and the impact of inflationary pressures on paramedic services. The County will also ask the Ministry to streamline reporting requirements, which currently involve multiple agencies.
That same day, the County will meet with the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, joined by Georgian College – Owen Sound Campus Executive Director Dave Shorey, to address the funding crisis in Ontario’s colleges. Grey County will advocate for sustainable provincial investment in rural campuses to support workforce development and economic growth.
A third August 18 delegation with the Ministry of Long-Term Care will raise concerns about staffing, including timelines for vulnerable sector screening, new certification requirements for personal support workers, and the phase-out of resident support personnel. Redevelopment funding for Rockwood Terrace in Durham will also be discussed, with the County asking for in-progress projects to qualify under the new provincial funding model announced in the 2025 budget.
On August 19, the County’s final delegation will be with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to request long-term, stable funding for the Grey County Business Enterprise Centre. The centre supports more than 13,000 local businesses, 99 per cent of which are classified as small businesses.
In addition to the County’s meetings, Warden Matrosovs will take part in three delegations with the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, including discussions with the Ontario Liberal Party, Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Rebecca Bligh, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
More information about the AMO 2025 Conference can be found at www.amo.on.ca/2025-amo-conference/program.