Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus advances municipal priorities at ROMA conference
TORONTO – The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) had a strong presence at the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference from Jan. 18 to 20, engaging with provincial leaders to advance priorities that strengthen communities across Western Ontario, officials say.
The conference provided a platform for WOWC to share municipal perspectives, address pressing challenges and explore collaborative solutions with provincial partners.
“Western Ontario municipalities are dealing with complex challenges that affect residents’ daily lives, from staffing shortages in essential services to the need for robust municipal infrastructure that supports growth, community safety and well-being,” stated WOWC chair Marcus Ryan in a press release.
“ROMA provides a vital opportunity to bring these local realities directly to provincial leaders, ensuring decisions reflect the needs of our communities and support practical, sustainable solutions.”
Key discussions
WOWC met with parliamentary assistant Silvia Gualtieri (Ministry of Solicitor General) to discuss challenges with vulnerable sector checks, including delays affecting timely hiring in long-term care and early childhood education, inconsistent interpretations across jurisdictions and impacts on staffing stability and service delivery.
The caucus also met with associate minister Sam Oosterhoff (Ministry of Energy and Mines) to discuss broadband and cellular infrastructure priorities for Southwestern Ontario, focusing on building on provincial investments, addressing remaining service gaps, and supporting economic development, public safety and quality of life in rural communities. WOWC also met with Hydro One staff to explore opportunities for ongoing collaboration on regional infrastructure and energy initiatives, reinforcing the importance of strong municipal-industry partnerships in supporting local growth and sustainability.
Powering Ontario’s Economic Engine
A highlight of ROMA 2026 was the Powering Ontario’s Economic Engine after-hours reception, hosted by WOWC and sponsored by Bruce Power and the Nuclear Innovation Institute. The event brought together municipal and regional leaders, ministers and members of provincial parliament (MPP), to exchange ideas on building stronger communities, strengthening infrastructure and supporting workforce growth across Western Ontario, officials state in a press release.
Provincial attendees included:
– Minister Stephen Lecce;
– associate minister Sam Oosterhoff;
– Minister Lisa Thompson;
– Minister Rob Flack;
– associate minister Graydon Smith;
– MPP Matthew Rae;
– Minster Jill Dunlop;
– Minster Todd McCarthy;
– Minister Andrea Khanjin;
– associate minister Charmaine Williams;
– associate minister Kevin Holland; and
– parliamentary assistant Dawn Gallagher Murphy.
“The conversations at ROMA focused on turning dialogue into action for Western Ontario,” Ryan said.
“Continued collaboration and sustained investment in critical municipal infrastructure and in attracting and retaining skilled workers are essential to keeping our communities strong and our regional economy moving.”
