The future of the public health funding framework was the main area of focus for the County of Prince Edward delegation that attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario annual general meeting and conference this week in Ottawa.
AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system.
“We welcomed the opportunity to meet with Health Minister Sylvia Jones and stress the importance of investing in local public health,” said Mayor Steve Ferguson. “Our previous advocacy work on issues such as a new hospital and long-term care home have led to tangible results, which gives me hope the provincial government will take into consideration our concerns in this area as well.”
Ferguson, accompanied by councillors Janice Maynard and Sam Grosso as well as Interim CAO Adam Goheen, met with Minister Jones on Tuesday.
In that meeting, the County outlined the budget shortfall faced by the local South East Health Unit (SEHU). In response, the Minister of Health did commit that health units including SEHU would be involved in the policy review of public health funding framework.
A meeting with Brian Saunderson, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to advocate for enhanced affordable housing funding support did not take place due to a scheduling conflict. The municipality intends to share the information with ministry staff in the near future.
While in Ottawa, Ferguson met with staff from Transport Canada and Bay of Quinte Chris Malette to discuss the rehabilitation of County Road 49. Thanks to previous advocacy work, the municipality has secured nearly $20 million from the province for the project. The municipality is seeking funds from the federal government for the unfunded portion of the project.
“I reiterated how essential a rehabilitated County Road 49 is for the continued economic growth, safety, and well-being of our community,” Ferguson said. “The message was well received by everyone in the room, and I was assured that they are working diligently to find a solution that will allow this project to move ahead.”
Ferguson also joined with other mayors and wardens from across Eastern Ontario for meetings with several Ontario government ministers. The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) met with several government officials and key stakeholders to advocate for the unique needs of Eastern Ontario’s small urban and rural communities.
Throughout the conference, the EOWC engaged in important conversations around economic resilience, housing, health care, and long-term care.
Read the EOWC’s AMO 2025 briefing package to learn more about the key issues the organization is advocating for click here.
(NICOLE KLEINSTEUBER)
