The regional economy and U.S. tariff threats, municipal infrastructure, housing and health care.
Those are the top four priorities the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) says it has outlined for Ontario’s next government.
The caucus says we need to ensure municipalities are part of Ontario’s approach to U.S. tariff threats, and eliminate barriers to enable municipalities to buy local support local companies.
We need to increase investments in municipal infrastructure, preventing infrastructure failures and facilitating new infrastructure to support regional economic growth.
There should be support for municipalities to build housing for everyone through capital investments and we need to ‘modernize provincial programs’ to prevent homelessness.
The EOWC represents nearly one quarter of Ontario’s 444 municipalities and it has also come up with thirteen recommendations for the next provincial government.
“Eastern Ontario’s future must be a priority in the Ontario election. The EOWC’s municipalities are already driving progress, and we are ready to do even more for the region. We need provincial leaders who are ready to work with us to tackle issues around infrastructure, housing, health care, and the economy. The EOWC remains ‘Ready to Work and Ready to Grow’.” said EOWC Chair Bonnie Clark in a media release.
The EOWC adds that eastern Ontario is poised for growth with the region having the land and currently building its workforce.
with files from Casey Kenny
