The Rural Ontario Municipal Association opened its annual conference in Toronto Monday with the spotlight on energy costs, rural economic development, and the fiscal future of municipalities.
Premier Kathleen Wynne announced a $100-million Natural Gas Grant Program for municipal governments that currently do not have service. ROMA has been advocating for natural gas expansion and is waiting for more information on how the new grant program will be implemented.
The premier also announced the renewal of the Rural Economic Development Program.
More than 900 rural officials from across the province are participating in the conference program that includes more than three dozen sessions and workshops, reflecting the broad scope of municipal responsibilities.
Municipal staff and officials will take part in as many as 300 delegation meetings with provincial and federal ministers.
"More than half of Ontario's municipalities have populations of less than 10,000 while many more are rural in character," says Ron Holman, chair of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association. "The ROMA Conference is a chance for municipal leaders to build new partnerships and knowledge that will help rural communities thrive."
