HALDIMAND—Local representatives brought Haldimand issues to provincial delegates at the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference.
Held January 19-21, 2025 at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto, Haldimand was represented by MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, Deputy Mayor Rob Shirton, Councillors Dan Lawrence and Patrick O’Neill, and CAO Cathy Case.
Bentley shared on her Facebook page, “I was engaged in in-depth discussions on rural issues, networking with other mayors, and advocating for local concerns with MPP Bobbi Ann Brady. Furthermore, I attended delegations with our MPP, CAO, and Council members, emphasizing critical issues including infrastructure, the preservation of agricultural lands, healthcare, and homelessness.”
Case shared a breakdown of the conference, which had a theme of ‘Rural Routes’ this year. Despite that theme, Case said the focus of the conference centred more around advocating to the Province for infrastructure funding to address “aging infrastructure, including water and wastewater; and the importance of shifting the burden back to the Province for provincial responsibilities such as affordable housing and healthcare, especially in rural areas.”
Haldimand’s representatives were able to meet with two Ontario Ministers during the conference.
First, Lawrence led a discussion with Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Minister Vic Fideli, centred on the importance of bringing industry and business in to help diversify Haldimand’s tax base and shift some of the residential tax burden to other areas.
“We reviewed the Nanticoke Industrial Park lands and the challenges that have existed with securing new business there. The North Caledonia Business Park potential was also mentioned, and of course Council reiterated the need for provincial funding to kickstart this area,” said Case of that meeting.
Second, Haldimand reps sat down with Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation Minister Greg Rickford.
“We met to discuss the importance of positive relationship building with our Indigenous neighbours here in Haldimand, and the need for clear provincial direction when it comes to consultation with Indigenous groups,” shared Case.
Asked if she was satisfied with this year’s conference and the issues discussed, Case shared, “Haldimand, like all 443 other municipalities in Ontario, continues to advocate for the province to step up to the plate and provide more and stable funding for municipalities.”
She continued, “As municipalities continue to be the frontline government, public expectations continue to rise. Aging infrastructure coupled with growth requires a long-term financial commitment from the provincial government. Additionally, areas of provincial responsibility must stop falling on the shoulders of local taxpayers.”
She concluded, “All municipalities in Ontario are struggling to meet the needs of our growing communities and the Province must be at the table to discuss ways we can work together to improve our local communities.”
Brady shared her thoughts on this year’s ROMA conference, noting that like last summer’s AMO Conference “the majority of the most productive conversations did not happen in the delegation rooms…. The real work is done in the hallway.”
Despite that, Brady did note that she was happy with the meeting with Minister Rickford, who “seemed to understand our concern on a few issues and said he would work with us towards resolving those.”
She also mentioned a presentation she attended with Mayor Bentley on economic development.
“The majority of mayors and councillors in that room were saying ‘we are drowning, we cannot keep up with the pressures Doug Ford has put on us.’ … It was so heartening to hear that,” said Brady on how vocal municipalities were about their struggles. “It is amazing to see and hear some of our municipal governments pushing back and saying ‘enough is enough’.”
