Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Annual conference

The Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Ontarian municipalities engage in joint advocacy throughout the year to ensure the perspective of local governments is considered on matters that are of federal-provincial nature, but could affect municipal services.

Every August, the association hosts an annual conference for Ontarian municipalities. The conference provides members of Regional Council and senior staff the opportunity to meet in person with members of the provincial government to advocate for Niagara's priorities.

2025 Conference: Aug. 17-20 in Ottawa

The following topics were discussed with members of the Provincial Government.

• Increasing Ontario Works earning exemption

  Our ask

  That the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services partner with Niagara Region to launch a pilot project to align with the Ontario Disability Support Program Exemption of $1,000 and 75 per cent of earning for recipients who secure employment to test the impacts on employment precarity, job retention and return to social assistance.

  Key facts

  • Ontario Works recipients face significant financial disincentives when moving into employment due to strict earnings exemptions and rapid benefit reductions
  • The current structure leaves individuals with insufficient income to cover essential expenses, creating economic instability and stress that jeopardize job retention. This precarious transition period contributes to higher rates of recidivism.
  • Increasing the earning exemption to $1,000 and then a reduction of 75 per cent would:
  • Provide a gradual reduction in benefits as earnings increase, preventing sudden income supports ending
  • Offer recipients greater financial security in the early months of employment
  • Support improved budgeting and planning, fostering financial independence
    
• South Niagara Wastewater Treatment Solutions project

  Our ask

  That the Government of Ontario stimulate Ontario's economy, create local jobs, and support housing development by providing $108 million in funding for the project. Once completed, the project will be a catalyst for growth, supporting a resilient and agile economy in the long-term.

  Key facts

  • Critical infrastructure projects are at risk due to supply chain disruptions and rising material costs leading to project expenses that local property taxes cannot sustain
  • In the short-term, this puts jobs at risk, and in the long-term, it threatens the economic growth potential that comes with increased servicing for employment sites
  • Building the South Niagara Wastewater Treatment Solutions project will create new jobs in the construction sector and, once completed, will boost productivity and economic growth by increasing residential and employment land servicing in Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara-on-the-Lake and potentially Fort Erie
• Niagara's Consolidated Housing Master Plan

  Our ask

  That the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing co-invest $150,000 per unit in Niagara's Consolidated Housing Master Plan so that shovel ready projects can move forward without delay.

  Key facts

  • The Consolidated Housing Master Plan forecasts that approximately 20,700 community housing units will be needed by 2045 to meet resident need, with an estimated unit supply gap of 3,600
  • To bridge this supply gap, the Consolidated Housing Master Plan details opportunities for (re)development of existing Niagara Regional Housing, non-profit and co-operative housing provider sites, plus other sites pursuable for development
  • In May 2025, Regional Council endorsed and approved the Consolidated Housing Master Plan Implementation Plan which establishes a portfolio approach for (re)development projects
  • (Re)development timelines forecast the construction of 4,243 units over 25 years. This will increase Niagara Regional Housing's community housing supply from 3,051 units to 6,037 units by 2050.
• Enhancing physician recruitment efforts

  Our ask

  That the Ministry of Rural Affairs collaborate with the Ministry of Health to dedicate a portion of the Primary Care Action Plan's $1.8 billion funding envelope to support local physician recruiter efforts.

  Key facts

  • Every level of government has a role to play in increasing the supply of family doctors
  • At the municipal level, efforts include recruiting physicians, helping residents find a doctor, supporting doctors as they establish local practices, identifying space for clinics, assisting with business setup, and helping new physicians integrate into the community
  • Physician recruiter roles exist in Ontarian regions or counties and are typically funded through the municipal levy
  • Niagara's local governments work collaboratively to bring physicians to the region. Efforts include:
  • Monetary incentives provided by six area municipalities
  • Leadership in regional, provincial and national recruitment alliances
  • Participation in international recruitment fairs
  • Targeted "Find a Doctor" campaigns to help residents access primary care
  • Greater collaboration between provincial and municipal governments is needed to strategically leverage investments in physician recruitment and patient access
• Supporting economic growth through accessible child care

  Our ask

  That the Ministry of Education increase Niagara Region's Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care allocations to support economic growth.

  Key facts

  • The number of children under four in Ontario is projected to increase by 27 per cent over the next 25 years (Statistics Canada, 2024)
  • Niagara Region is no exception. While the allocation of 4,067 Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care spaces by 2026 is a welcomed investment, to adhere to the provincial access ratio of one Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care space for every three children, roughly 1,200 additional spaces are required by 2026.
  • This estimate does not consider growth projections or recent economic development announcements in Niagara
  • The Ministry of Finance has projected that Niagara's population will reach 723,051 by 2051, an increase of approximately 38 per cent
  • Between 2020 and 2022, the total number of individuals employed within our region increased by 31,700. In 2024, significant foreign direct investment was welcomed to our community in partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada.

Government Relations

• Niagara Week
• Association of Municipalities of Ontario