Premier Speaks to 1,600 Municipal Leaders in Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, ON, Aug. 18, 2015 /CNW/ - The Association of Municipalities of Ontario's Annual Conference continued in Niagara Falls today as Premier Kathleen Wynne addressed delegates and key Ontario Government Ministers and Parliamentary Assistants took questions from municipal officials.

Delegates had particular interest in several long-standing concerns, including joint and several liability, Ontario's interest arbitration system and other initiatives that would help municipalities control costs and improve services.

Ontario's municipal leaders continued to call for a working relationship with the provincial government that works.

Premier Wynne told the crowd that the province and municipalities need to find new ways to solve problems and move forward.

"We need a partnership that works, with practical solutions to concrete problems," said Gary McNamara, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. "Ontario's municipal community is committed to working together with the province to achieve goals and move forward."

Delegates warmly welcomed the participation of Ontario's First Nations Leaders today.

Program highlights for Wednesday, August 19, the final day of the Conference, will include:

• 9:00 a.m. – The Honourable Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
• 9:30 a.m. – The Honourable Glen Murray, Minister of Environment and Climate Change  

Reporters and delegates can build a personalized conference itinerary and access key conference information through AMOmobile – the Association's free mobile app. Backgrounders on key municipal issues are available at www.amo.on.ca.

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

Image with caption: "Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne addresses municipal leaders at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference in Niagara Falls (CNW Group/Association of Municipalities of Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150818_C5169_PHOTO_EN_480325.jpg

Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425, [email protected]; Follow AMO on Twitter: @AMOPolicy, #AMOCONF15