Town of Grimsby Successfully Advocates for Municipal Priorities at the 2024 AMO Conference

August 22, 2024

The 2024 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference was held in Ottawa, Ontario from August 18 – 21, 2024. The AMO conference is a yearly event which brings municipalities together to discuss best practices and share industry knowledge. Municipal representatives and ministries also meet and discuss the various municipalities’ strategic priorities to advocate for local issues and discuss program and funding partnerships.

Mayor Jeff Jordan, Councillor Jacob Baradziej, Councillor Veronica Charrois, Councillor Delight Davoli, Councillor Nick DiFlavio, Councillor Reg Freake, Councillor Lianne Vardy, as well as four representatives from Town Staff attended the conference and participated in three delegations with members of the Provincial Government. The objective of the delegations is to advocate for multiple issues on behalf of the Town. 

The following projects and initiatives were discussed:

·      Invasive Species (Oak Wilt): Oak wilt, a destructive fungal disease, poses a significant threat to the health and vitality of our local oak tree population. It spreads rapidly, causing wilting and death of infected trees, which not only results in a decline in the aesthetic appeal of our neighbourhoods but also negatively impacts our environment and biodiversity.

The Town, alongside the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Town of Pelham, requested the Province’s support in securing the necessary funds and resources to develop and distribute comprehensive educational materials. These materials would be designed to educate our residents, schools, and community organizations about the identification, prevention, and management of oak wilt. By equipping our community with accurate and up-to-date information, the Town believes we can empower our residents to actively participate in preventing the spread of this devastating disease.

·      GO Transit: Since the Province’s announcement committing to the Grimsby GO Station in 2016, significant transit-oriented development continues to be approved and built in the surrounding area in anticipation of access to rapid transit. The area overall is seen as a focus for transit supportive growth, intensification, redevelopment, and public realm improvement. The Town of Grimsby, the Region of Niagara, and Metrolinx, have been working with the Ministry of Transportation to bring the GO Train service to Grimsby and the 2024 AMO Conference ensures these important discussions continue

·      Redevelopment Opportunities in Downtown Grimsby: The Town of Grimsby engaged in conversations with the Minister of Education to discuss potential plans and provincial interests in the Central School site, anticipating that the site may be considered surplus in the near future.

As information becomes available regarding grants and funding received through the upper levels of government, thanks to these advocacy efforts, the Town will share them with the community through our website, social media (Facebook and Instagram) and traditional media channels. The Town’s advocacy program is instrumental in creating positive impacts in the Grimsby community both in the short and long term.

Quotes:

“The Town of Grimsby facilitated successful conversations at the 2024 AMO Conference. Our residents can be sure we will continue to take every opportunity to advocate for the unique needs of our community. I am grateful for our Town Council and Staff, along with our municipal partners throughout Niagara, who supported our municipality. Overall, I feel very optimistic about our discussions”. Jeff Jordan, Mayor for the Town of Grimsby.

“Our advocacy efforts with upper levels of government are anchored by our 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities that reflect the collective vision for an innovative, vibrant community where people and the environment matter. While the AMO conference is an excellent opportunity to advocate for community priorities, these discussions happen year-round through our continued collaboration and dialogue with our partners at the Province”. Sarah Kim, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Grimsby.

Media Contact:

Christina Davidson
Communications Specialist, Town of Grimsby
cdavidson@grimsby.ca | 905-945-9634