Caledon Mayor selected as chair of Rural Ontario Municipal Association

February 21, 2019 · 0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA SANTOS

Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson has been selected as chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.

Thompson will serve on the board’s executive and help set policy for the association, according to an AMO news release.

“It really is an honour to represent the rural municipalities across Ontario,” said Thompson. “There are unique challenges facing rural communities and I look forward to working with our Provincial partners in helping to address them.

Thompson said he will represent the interest of rural municipalities and advocate to the Provincial and Federal Governments on their behalf.

“AMO’s caucuses represent the diversity of Ontario’s municipal governments and give a voice to the shared interests of their members,” said Jamie McGarvey, president of AMO. I am pleased to have Allan join our Board Executive as Chair of the Rural Caucus.”

Thompson spoke in front of over 1,200 delegates at a conference where he met with Steve Clarke, Ontario minister of municipal affairs and housing. He and council discussed seniors housing and Caledon’s growing 55 and over population.

“We advocated strongly for Caledon as the Minister spoke about the announced regional government review and asked that we continue to be included in these discussions,” said Thompson.

In the first day of the conference, Thompson and council participated on workshops that include a guide to government relations, the loss of local news, and update from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and an address from keynote speaker, Dr. Lance Secretan, an author and Caledon resident.

Thompson said the Province is taking a close look at addressing Caledon’s rural broadband connectivity and joint and several liability for municipalities which impacts the cost of insurances.

The Board will continue to work with the Province on developing a fair and sustainable formula to fund municipal infrastructure, Thompson said.

“We are asking the province to look at municipal issues through a rural lens and as Chair I will continue to have regular dialogue with the Province on keeping our issues at the forefront,” said Thompson.