" Eastern Ontario’s economy is deeply connected to the United States. Our manufacturers, farmers, port partners, forestry producers, businesses and workers rely on strong cross-border trade and stable, predictable markets.

The ongoing tariff uncertainty is creating real challenges for businesses and communities across our region, with potential impacts on jobs, investment, supply chains and long-term competitiveness.

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus stands with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford as they work to protect Canadian and Ontario interests and support workers and businesses through this challenging trade environment.

The impacts of tariffs will not be felt equally across Canada. Municipalities are the closest level of government to the businesses, workers and families experiencing these impacts and need to be part of the conversation about how we respond.

This is why economic resilience is a key priority for the EOWC. Eastern Ontario has the talent, businesses, natural resources, transportation corridors and infrastructure to play a significant role in strengthening Canada’s economy. We must continue supporting businesses to adapt, diversify into new markets and strengthen domestic supply chains.

We also need continued investment in the infrastructure that keeps goods moving and economies growing. Roads, bridges, water and wastewater systems and other critical infrastructure are the foundation of economic competitiveness.

The EOWC encourages Prime Minister Carney and Premier Ford to continue working together, with municipalities and industry at the table, to protect jobs, strengthen supply chains and create new opportunities for investment and growth.

The EOWC will continue working with our federal and provincial partners to strengthen economic resilience and ensure eastern Ontario is positioned to compete and prosper.

We are stronger when we work together as municipalities, as a province and as a country."

-Chair, Bonnie Clark (Warden, Peterborough County)

The EOWC was pleased to participate in the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, held in the City of Ottawa, championing regional municipal priorities. 

Throughout the conference, the EOWC engaged in focused meetings with federal and provincial government leaders, opposition parties, and sector partners, including:

• The Honourable Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• The Honourable Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade
• The Honourable Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure
• The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs
• The Honourable Steve Clark, Government House Leader, Ontario
• Parliamentary Assistant Dave Smith, Ministry of Finance
• Parliamentary Assistant John Joardan, Ministry of Health
• Premier’s Office (Ottawa Regional Office), Scott Phelan Ontario
• New Democratic Party (NDP)
• Ontario Green Party
• Tim Tierney, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• Hydro One

The EOWC would like to extend their sincere thanks to eastern Ontario regional Members of Provincial Parliament, Steve Clark, Stéphane Sarrazin, Nolan Quinn and Ric Bresee, for joining the EOWC’s AMO 2026 delegation meeting and help advocate for the residents of eastern Ontario.

At this year’s AMO conference, the EOWC focused on municipal infrastructure and health care, advocating for the following recommendations:

• Advancing the Eastern Ontario Transformation Action Plan to drive economic competitiveness, workforce development, and regional growth;
• Reinvesting the 1.76% non-refundable provincial HST portion directly back into municipal infrastructure;
• Establishing a province-wide standardized asset assessment system to support smarter infrastructure planning and investment decisions;
• Embedding clinicians within dispatch centres to conduct real-time secondary triage of incoming calls, enabling lower-acuity patients to be redirected to appropriate alternative care providers and reducing unnecessary emergency department visits and paramedic dispatches.
• Integrating community paramedicine as a permanent component of the health care system and ensure funding continues in the long-term.

The EOWC’s Chair, Bonnie Clark, has been appointed as the County Caucus Chair on AMO’s Board of Directors, joining AMO’s Executive Leadership Team to represent Counties’ voices in meetings with the Ontario Government.

The EOWC Was pleased to attend the announcement from the Government of Canada and the Ontario Government, jointly investing $1 billion in helping municipalities that do not levy development charges support the construction of new homes and build stronger communities

“This $1 billion investment is welcome news for rural communities across eastern Ontario. Building more homes requires the infrastructure to support them, and investments in roads, bridges and water systems will help municipalities unlock housing growth while renewing the infrastructure that existing residents rely on. We are pleased to see our Ontario and Canada government partners working together to support infrastructure in rural communities.”

— Bonnie Clark, Chair, Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus

This investment will help rural municipalities address infrastructure gaps, support housing development, and ensure communities have the services needed to accommodate growth.

As a founding partner, the EOWC was pleased to join federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous partners to celebrate the success and completion of the Cell Gap Project, a transformative $300 million investment that has delivered on every target.

With 346 new wireless sites built, 311 existing sites upgraded, and expanded 5G coverage now reaching communities across eastern Ontario, this achievement marks a major milestone for residents, businesses, first responders, visitors, and Indigenous communities.

Congratulations to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, Rogers Communications and all our project partners whose vision and dedication helped make this achievement a reality.

Seniors in Deep River will have greater access to long-term care services while continuing to live safely at home. Ontario is expanding its Community Access to Long-Term Care pilot program to Four Seasons Lodge in Deep River, providing services such as clinical and personal care, nursing support, dementia care and wound care.

Ontario is investing $9.8 million to support a new millwright training centre in Port Hope, helping prepare the next generation of skilled trades workers for good-paying, in-demand careers.

Led by UBC Millwright Local 2309, the 44,986-square-foot facility will provide classroom and hands-on training in welding, rigging, industrial maintenance and other millwright skills, along with industry certifications.

The centre is expected to train 2,550 apprentices, journeypersons and new entrants over the next five years, strengthening Ontario’s skilled trades workforce and supporting the energy, manufacturing and industrial sectors.

The Ontario government is investing $3,064,270 in Lennox and Addington County General Hospital to support critical infrastructure upgrades and repairs.

The funding will support nurse call, elevator, HVAC and medical gas upgrades, helping improve safety, reliability and the care environment for patients, families, staff and physicians.

The investment is part of Ontario’s $266-million Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, supporting upgrades and repairs at 126 hospitals across the province.

AMO’s New Council Program: AMO’s Local Leadership Foundations

AMO has modernized its post‑election onboarding with Local Leadership Foundations, developed with the Institute on Governance and delivered by experienced municipal governance experts.

Guided by consultations with municipal associations, staff groups, and AMO’s Executive Committee, the program reflects what members need to lead with confidence.

FCM Joins Canadian Infrastructure Report Card Coalition

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has joined eight other national organizations to launch the Canadian Infrastructure Report Card Coalition.

Together, the coalition will help assess and advocate for Canada's local infrastructure needs, as 11% of core public infrastructure is currently rated in poor or very poor condition, representing an estimated $237 billion in repair costs.

The coalition's next Canadian Infrastructure Report Card will be released in early 2027, providing the first national assessment since 2019.

OFA August Newswire

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has published their August 2026 edition of Newswire. This edition includes:

• AMO 2026 Updates;
• What’s Happening at OFA;
• OFA Scholarship; and
• Dyment’s Glen Drummond Farm Event.

Canada Pre-Budget 2026 Consultations are Open

The Government of Canada is seeking input from Canadians as it prepares Budget 2026. Share your ideas and priorities through the online questionnaire or a formal submission by September 8, 2026, and help shape Canada’s future.

Rural Ontario Week



Rural Ontario Week will take Place from September 20 to 26, 2026.

GLSLCI Municipal Innovation Exchange

Join Ontario’s leading economic development event to connect with decision-makers, gain expert insights, and drive regional growth from September 9-11, 2026, in Ottawa.

OEMC is an opportunity to help shape the future of eastern Ontario’s economy.

GLSLCI Municipal Innovation Exchange

Join municipal leaders, water professionals, researchers, and innovators in Kingston on September 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., for the Municipal Innovation Exchange.

Supported by the Local Blue Economy Growth Fund, this event will explore practical solutions to improve Great Lakes water quality and reduce pollutants such as nutrients, road runoff, microplastics, and PFAS in our freshwater systems.

OMAA 2026 Fall Conference



The OMAA 2026 Fall Conference will take place from October 7 to 9, 2026, in Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain.