Chatham-Kent (CK) has seven representatives at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference advocating directly to the province for investment in some of the region's greatest challenges.
In Ottawa for the multi-day conference are Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillors Lauren Anderson, Melissa Harrigan, Brock McGregor, Carmen McGregor, Morena McDonald, and Alysson Storey. Also present is a group of municipal staff.
The annual meeting allows municipal government officials to communicate directly with their provincial counterparts, in an effort to advance local priorities. For Chatham-Kent the top priorities are renovictions, storm water management, supportive housing, and infrastructure.
"We are at AMO to make sure Chatham-Kent's voice is heard and to advocate for the funding and partnerships we need to deliver real solutions," said Canniff.
In terms of supportive housing, CK is looking for information, funding, and partnership opportunities to help speed up a housing plan target of creating 50 supportive housing units and 392 affordable housing units over 10 years.
The municipality is also advocating for stronger protections for Ontario's existing rental housing supply. CK is calling for a province-wide approach to reducing inappropriate renovictions. This would include stronger verification and enforcement measures and improved protections and supports for tenants who are displaced.
Funding for storm water projects, especially in areas like Tilbury and Ridgetown, is also top of mind, as these communities need the infrastructure to facilitate new growth.
Chatham-Kent is also seeking a $4-million provincial investment toward the Talbot Trail realignment project. A permanent realignment is needed to reopen the approximately one kilometere of the trail, which has been closed since 2019, because of shoreline erosion. The project's price tag is an estimated $8-million.
"Our message is that Chatham-Kent is ready to invest and ready to build, but municipalities need sustainable partners," said Canniff. "Every provincial dollar we can secure for infrastructure, housing, and social services is an investment in the future of Chatham-Kent and helps lessen the burden that would otherwise fall on local property taxpayers."
Ontario Premier Doug Ford did touch on housing, when he spoke at the conference Monday morning. Though he was more focused on new builds and home ownership, than on supportive, affordable, or rental units.
"To keep the dream of home ownership alive and build affordable homes faster, we're investing $8.8-billion in partnership with the federal government to support housing-enabling infrastructure across the province in municipalities that reduce development charges," Ford said. He added that $1-billion of that funding is earmarked for infrastructure.
The premier also announced that communities can apply for funding through the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF). Ford called the $500-million fund "the largest investment of its kind in Ontario's history."
CSRIF is meant to build and upgrade arenas, community centres, pools and playing fields. It's also an effort to support the training of Ontario's young athletes and promote active, healthy living.
The AMO conference is on until August 19.
