1,600 Municipal Leaders Meet in Ottawa for the 2013 AMO Conference

OTTAWA, Aug. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's three-day 2013 AMO Conference kicked-off in the nation's capital with an inspiring key note presentation by Colonel (Ret'd) Chris Hadfield, Astronaut and former Commander of the International Space Station. Colonel Hadfield delivered practical and positive leadership advice to a packed audience.

More than 1,600 conference delegates from across Ontario are participating in close to 50 plenary sessions and workshops with more than 60 speakers. The broad scope of the conference reflects the wide range of programs and services delivered by Ontario's municipalities.

"AMO unites Ontario municipalities," said Russ Powers, AMO President. "Our communities face real challenges. We need Ontario's Legislature to work together and provide municipalities with the tools to control costs, grow our local economies, deliver vital services and invest in infrastructure."

The annual AMO Conference brings elected municipal officials and staff together with members of the federal and provincial governments. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, Tim Hudak, Leader of the Official Opposition and the Ontario PC Party, and Andrea Horwath, MPP, Leader of the Ontario NDP addressed delegates today.

Conference highlights for Tuesday, August 20 will include:

1:15 p.m. - Claude Dauphin, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
1:25 p.m. - The Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Minister, Municipal Affairs and Housing
1:45 p.m. - Presentation of the AMO Gas Tax Awards
2:10 p.m. - Ilona Dougherty, Co-founder and Executive Director: Apathy is Boring
3:00 p.m. - Ontario Government Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants attend an open session to answer questions from municipal delegates

Reporters and delegates can build a personalized conference itinerary and access key conference information through AMO Mobile - the Association's free mobile app.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments.  AMO supports and enhances strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada's political system.

SOURCE: Association of Municipalities of Ontario

Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425, [email protected]
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