Back to SearchWEST GREY, ON — Mayor Christine Robinson and members of council attended the 2022 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference on January 24 and 25, achieving important advancements in three key topics: rural landfills, escalating municipal insurance rates and managing municipal assets.
“West Grey was well represented at this year’s conference,” said Mayor Robinson. “We met with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to bring West Grey’s initiatives to the forefront and to advocate for funding and support to continue building our community. I am pleased with the positive dialogue and concrete outcomes.”
West Grey’s meeting with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) focused on escalating insurance premiums and actions taken from the province. Parliamentary Assistant Jim McDonell acknowledged the cost of municipal insurance has created challenges for many municipalities, and the province initiated a consultation process regarding this issue. The province is reviewing that feedback and PA McDonell is optimistic that more information will be shared in the coming months. West Grey also discussed the strain of managing comprehensive Asset Management Plans – particularly for rural municipalities that do not have resources or inhouse expertise to lead this important work. While the province has increased some funding streams, West Grey advocated that because municipalities are the stewards of public assets, a regular grant program should be considered.
The West Grey delegation also met with Minister David Piccini, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks to explore sustainable solutions to the challenges of operating rural landfills. West Grey subsidizes its landfill operations by almost $170,000 annually – in addition to offering curbside pick-up across the municipality. The West Grey delegation discussed options such as more diversion incentives, greater public education and advancing the changes in the Blue Box program. Minister Piccini was receptive and invited West Grey staff to work closely with ministry staff on ideas to shift the “landfill first’ mindset.
Held entirely online for a second year, the annual ROMA conference gives municipalities the opportunity to speak with provincial ministries, attend workshops and network.
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Media contact:
Laura Johnston, Chief Administrative Office
ljohnston@westgrey.com
519 369 2200 ext. 222
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