Officials from the County of Renfrew had a meeting with the Honourable Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa earlier this week. Joining them in the discussion (from left) were Chief Administrative Officer Craig Kelley; Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming; Councillor Glenn Doncaster, Operations Committee Chair; Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon; and Lee Perkins, Director of Public Works and Engineering.
RELEASE DATE:
August 21, 2025
County representatives engaged with several Members of Provincial Parliament at the 2025 AMO Conference to push for funding aimed at improving life for residents in Renfrew County.
The annual conference took place in Ottawa from August 17-20, 2025. It is one of the largest gatherings for municipal leaders and staff in Ontario and brought together nearly 3,000 attendees from hundreds of municipalities and organizations throughout the province.
Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon expressed that having County Councillors present at the AMO Conference is essential for promoting local and rural priorities so that community needs are acknowledged at the provincial level.
“We were able to have some concentrated conversations with Ministers or their designates on a variety of issues,” he said. “It is important to provide context and on-the-ground facts to the Province as it develops, implements, recalibrates policy or replenishes funds serving our community.
Apart from a wide range of speakers, sessions, and workshops available, elected officials and senior staff from Renfrew County participated in ten delegation meetings with provincial ministries addressing issues that directly affect service delivery and quality of life within Renfrew County:
Ministry of Education – Advocated for continued Early ON funding to support families through early childhood programs Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security – Requested expansion of Learn and Stay Grant eligibility for Primary Care and Advanced Care Paramedics in rural Eastern Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness – Discussed funding to protect farmland through a coordinated regional plan Ministry of Energy and Mines – Raised concerns about outdated electrical grid infrastructure and its impact on rural development Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming – Requested funding for the Algonquin Trail bridge near Highway 17 at Bissett Creek; proposed updates to Municipal Accommodation Tax regulations for rural communities; advocated for increased base funding for the Ontario Highlands Tourism Organization Ministry of Health – Called for continued funding for Mesa’s Mental Health, Addictions, and Homelessness Outreach Teams Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade – Requested increased core funding for Business Enterprise Centres including Enterprise Renfrew County Ministry of Transportation – Proposed innovative safety and traffic solutions for the ongoing expansion of Highway 17 Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response – Advocated for Automatic Aid Agreements between paramedic services across Ontario to improve emergency response Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services – Urged updates to Ontario Works rates to reflect inflation and better support vulnerable residents
Warden Emon pointed out that their goal at this year’s AMO conference was to discuss practical solutions with key decision-makers aimed at improving community conditions. He also thanked Chief Administrative Officer Craig Kelley along with the Senior Leadership Team for creating detailed documents showcasing past achievements while requesting further investments.
“This led to meaningful discussions during the meetings and in the hallways throughout the Conference,” he added. “County Councillors worked hard in-and-out-of delegation sessions providing depth on our community’s needs as well as our successes moving forward.”
The Warden also expressed gratitude towards Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault for his ongoing support regarding significant issues affecting Renfrew County.
AMO is a non-profit organization that represents nearly all 444 municipal governments across Ontario. It supports strong municipal governance within Ontario while emphasizing its importance as an integral part within Canada’s political framework.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Craig Kelley CAO/Deputy Clerk 613-735-7288
Tina Peplinskie Media Relations Coordinator 613-735-7288
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