Photo credit: @fordnation
OMSSA had the opportunity to join close to 3,000 delegates for the 2025 AMO Conference. This annual conference offers informative sessions, individual municipal delegations, networking opportunities, and an opportunity to hear from the Premier and also federal and provincial Ministers. OMSSA staff were pleased to see many Members participating and advocating on issues related to human services.
Key sessions relevant to OMSSA included:
- Activating provincial support for emergency preparedness and response with the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
- Have Your Say: Health and Human Services
- Local Approaches to Unlocking New Housing
- AMO’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan
- Have Your Say: Housing and Land-Use Planning
- Innovative Approaches to Supporting Mental Health, Addictions and Supportive Housing
- Integrating Housing and Health Supports
- New Approaches to Housing
During the conference, AMO launched their Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan. The plan focuses on fostering relationships, listening, learning and honouring Indigenous People’s rights. Read the full plan here: https://www.amo.on.ca/policy/municipal-governance-indigenous-relations/amos-indigenous-reconciliation-action-plan
Premier Doug Ford addressed municipal delegates and announced $1.6 Billion in new funding for municipal infrastructure through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. The Premier’s remarks focused on housing supply, family doctors, procurement, responding to tariffs and encouraging municipal staff to return to the office in-person to revitalize downtowns. Ford also highlighted the $75 million invested into the issue of encampments. The Premier’s full speech can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6cHde1wyI8.
The conference also had important updates from elected officials including:
- Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack
- Federal Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Gregor Robertson
- Minister of Health and Deputy Premier Sylvia Jones
- Minister of Infrastructure Kinga Surma
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities President Rebecca Bligh
- AMO President Robin Jones
- Leader of the Official Opposition and Ontario NDP Marit Stiles
- Ontario Liberal Party Leader Bonnie Crombie
- Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner
AMO has posted full videos of these speeches on their YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@amolasvideos/videos.
During the Minister’s Forum, questions came up for provincial Ministers on issues related to supportive housing, homelessness, harm reduction, and a new deal for municipalities from elected municipal delegates. There were no new policy announcements from the participating Ministers. Minister Rob Flack did mention he heard frequently and consistently from municipal delegations on the need to expand supportive housing further in the province. This year set a record for municipal delegations at the AMO Conference. OMSSA staff were pleased to connect with our Members, partners, and stakeholders, to advance advocacy in housing, homelessness, child care, and social assistance.
OMSSA stands ready to support its Members to follow up on delegations as we prepare for the return of Parliament on September 15, the upcoming federal budget, and the return of the Ontario Legislature on October 20, and our upcoming 2025 Policy Conference on December 3 and 4.
