Mayor and Council make key connections with provincial ministries, advocate for local issues at 2025 AMO conference

Members of Haldimand County Council and staff attended the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa from August 17 to 20.  

AMO provides Council and staff an opportunity to advocate for solutions to local issues by participating in delegations with provincial ministries and making key connections with other regions and levels of government.

This year, Haldimand County was represented by Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, Councillors Debera McKeen, Dan Lawrence, John Metcalfe, Brad Adams, Patrick O’Neil, Rob Shirton and General Manager of Community Safety & Wellness Scott Luey.

During the four-day event, Council and staff took part in delegation meetings with six provincial ministries to advocate for local issues. These include:

• Ministry of Health
  Topic: Supports needed for the development of a more age-friendly Haldimand
• Ministry of Energy and Mines
  Topic: Opportunities to support Ontario’s clean energy goals
• Ministry of Economic Development & Job Creation
  Topic: Infrastructure needs of the employment lands in Nanticoke and Caledonia
• Ministry of Indigenous Affairs & First Nations Economic Reconciliation
  Topic: The need for provincial direction in developing a meaningful, legally and culturally appropriate Indigenous consultation framework
• Ministry of Long Term Care
  Topic: The potential expansion of Edgewater Gardens and critical need for more local long-term care options
• Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services
  Topic: The need for funding to address social service gaps in rural and Indigenous communities

Members of Council & staff were also able to secure an impromptu meeting with the Minister of Transportation to voice concerns about the Haldibrook Road/Hwy 6 intersection, the Argyle St. bridge and other traffic and infrastructure issues.

In addition to these delegation meetings, Council and staff participated in conference programming on emergency preparedness, affordable housing, trade and tariffs, Ontario’s energy future, climate resiliency, along with other sessions connecting municipal leaders, provincial officials, and industry partners.

“Attending AMO is an important opportunity to connect with provincial leaders and advocate for the needs and priorities of our residents,” said Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley. “Direct, face-to-face meetings help us build relationships, highlight important local issues, and work toward solutions that will improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Haldimand home.”