The Western Ontario Municipal Conference returns on Friday, October 16th, 2026 at the Delta Conference Centre in Guelph, ON.

We are pleased to announce our keynote speaker, sponsored by Enbridge, the Hon. Bob Rae

Watch for updates here.

Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus is pleased to partner with the University of Guelph and Dr. Leith Deacon on the The HEAR Initiative (Health, Economy, Adaptation in Rural Communities).

HEAR is a large-scale, longitudinal, community-engaged research initiative designed to generate the evidence rural communities need to plan, adapt, and thrive. By collecting and integrating data on rural health, economic well-being, and environmental adaptation, HEAR provides an unprecedented, place-based understanding of how rural communities experience and respond to change.

At the core of HEAR is one of the largest rural household survey efforts ever undertaken in Ontario. Every two years, the initiative will reach 300,000 rural residents across Ontario—approximately 20% of the province’s rural population. Surveys are co-designed with rural stakeholders and administered in accessible formats to ensure participation from communities often excluded by digital or geographic barriers. Survey data are then securely linked with administrative, geospatial, and environmental datasets to create a powerful, integrated evidence base.

Learn more about the HEAR Initiative at this ROMA Information Session on April 2nd 12 - 1 pm.

The Rural Symposium is an annual opportunity for University of Guelph graduate students to showcase their rural research.

The event facilitates knowledge mobilization and network building between graduate students at the University of Guelph, researchers, practitioners, and the Government of Ontario.

The event is co-hosted by the Government of Ontario, the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, and the School for Environmental Design and Rural Development.

The event will take place in the conference room at 1 Stone Road West in Guelph and online. The event is open to everyone and is free to attend. A lunch will be provided to those attending in-person.

If you are interested in attending, please register by March 30 using this link.

Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts/ Bobby Orr Hall of Fame

2 Bay Street, Parry Sound, Ontario, P2A 1S3

April 29 to May 1, 2026

Join your Parry Sound hosts to experience the beautiful surrounds of their town and the OSUM Executive as they offer curated programming and networking events to support Ontario’s small urban municipal leaders and colleagues in the emerging political, economic and social environment of today.

More details here.

Sarah Fencott (she/her) is from Waterloo, Ontario, located on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This area is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the treaty territory belonging to the Six Nations of the Grand River, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River and is within the lands protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum.

Sarah holds a degree in Environment and Business with a minor in Environment, Resources and Sustainability, as well as a diploma in Environmental Assessment. Her professional background includes field-based conservation and species at risk management, including work with Ontario Parks and collaboration on applied recovery initiatives such as the reintroduction of the Mottled Duskywing butterfly to Ontario. Through this work, she has supported habitat restoration, monitoring, and on-the-ground implementation of conservation actions informed by regulatory and assessment processes.

Through the Municipal Climate Internship Program, Sarah is working with Bruce County to better understand how municipalities translate climate and sustainability goals into practical action. She is particularly interested in using the business case for sustainability to support meaningful engagement with rights holders, community members, and local decision-makers, advancing plans that are grounded in community priorities and create lasting, place-based impact.

Learn more about the Municipal Climate Internship Program