Your monthly news & updates | |
WOWC Unveils 2023-24 Priorities to MPs and MPPs |  | |
Members of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) met virtually with their regional Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) on Friday, April 14, 2023, to unveil the WOWC’s priorities for 2023-24 as well as to present and discuss strategic approaches and mutual opportunities for collaboration and advocacy over the coming year.
The Caucus has identified the following key priorities for the coming year:
- Housing
- Workforce to Support Economic Growth
- Mental Health, Addictions and Homelessness
Multiple federal MPs and provincial MPPs were present on Friday to receive an exclusive presentation of the WOWC’s 2023-2024 priorities, which were adopted unanimously by the Caucus last month following a strategic session to examine the most important advocacy issues and the path to achieving results. WOWC members stressed the importance of having the support of regional MPs and MPPs to further advocate on Parliament Hill and at Queen’s Park for these priorities.
For the strategic priorities and the specific ask of the provincial and federal government View the press release and Backgrounder.
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Earlier this month, the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC) Chair, Huron County Warden Glen McNeil, and staff met with the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) Chair, County of Renfrew, Chair Warden Peter Emon, and Vice-Chair, Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark and staff.
The Caucuses discussed current regional issues, mutual strategic priorities, and ensuring that strong advocacy and support for rural communities continues.
The Caucuses will meet again at the upcoming Association of Municipalities of Ontario AMO) Conference this August in the City of London, Canada.
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Connecting More Homes and Businesses in Western Ontario | | |
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SWIFT announced that high-speed fibre-optic internet service is now available to more than 675 homes and businesses in the Niagara Region.
As part of SWIFT’s regional broadband expansion plan, local internet service provider Niagara Regional Broadband Network (NRBN) was awarded funding to construct a fibre-optic network, spanning along more than 68 kilometres of underserved roadway, to increase access to high-speed internet service throughout the communities of Chantler, Becketts Bridge and O’Reilly’s Bridge.
View the press release
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WOWC Celebrates Tourism Week | |
Elgin's Local Food Program Receives Federal Funding | |
With the importance of local food on the rise, Elgin County Tourism is thrilled to announce that its Savour Elgin Culinary program has been revamped. In late January, Elgin County Tourism received $35,000 from the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to update its Savour Elgin program. This update includes a new modern logo and a refreshed magazine-style booklet that focuses on culinary tourism and agritourism experiences throughout Elgin County and St. Thomas.
Elgin’s award-winning Savour Elgin program was initially launched in 2010 to promote Elgin County’s restaurants, agri-tourism operations, farmers’ markets, wineries, and breweries through a membership-based approach. The program’s main goal was to strengthen the local food supply chain while building awareness of culinary tourism in Elgin County.
Drawing upon the program’s original intent, this new Guide focuses on the experiences that make Elgin and St. Thomas’ culinary attractions unique, at no cost to those featured. Experiences include Sweet Maple Syrup Stops, Reel-y Good Fish & Chips, Love Our Local Markets, Raise a Glass or Two, Pick Your Own Passions, and Far & Away Flavours.
View the press release
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County celebrating Tourism Week with new and
updated tourism brochure
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Perth County Tourism is celebrating Tourism Week by letting everyone know about their new Discover More Tourism brochure.
Tourism Officer Ashley Lansink says this year the brochure has ballooned to 36 pages, with loads of destinations and experiences to learn about and enjoy.
“Ranging anywhere from trails, to events, to bakeries, to golf courses, to breweries, all the good stuff is in here. People can check their mailboxes this week if they live in Perth County and the surrounding areas. If you don’t get a brochure mailed to you, you can pick one up at any of the Perth County municipal offices, libraries, or any of the featured businesses in the brochure,” Lansink shared.
The brochure, as always, is loaded with new experiences, including the Discover More Adventures Signature Experiences.
The Discover More Flavour Farm Gate Map, which is now available in a digital version, is also featured in the brochure.
View the full article
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Tourism Sarnia-Lambton to Host Southern Ontario
Tourism Conference in 2024
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In a continued collaborative partnership, The Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation) and The Hamilton Brant Regional Tourism Association will together welcome hundreds of tourism stakeholders from across Southern Ontario to Sarnia-Lambton for the 2024 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference, taking place from March 4-6
The Southern Ontario Tourism Conference is open to all individuals directly involved or interested in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. These include but are not limited to: stakeholders of the Tourism Industry, business owners & employees, investors, college and university students, industry consultants, Municipal & Provincial Government officials and more.
This conference is designed to support the industry’s growth sustainably to become stronger than ever by providing opportunities for knowledge sharing and to learn new skills from tourism experts & trailblazers, connect with industry peers to develop partnerships, and create inspiration through a shared vision for the future of tourism in Southern Ontario.
sotourismconference.com
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Spring Flavours of Lake Country | |
April 21 to May 7
Celebrate Spring Flavours of Lake Country with Orillia and Lake Country restaurants! Our talented chefs have been busy creating unique and authentic dishes to meet your culinary tastes. During this two-week period, participating restaurants will feature special 2-3 course menus at a fixed price.
This year brings an exciting expansion with brand new menu tiers for you to experience! Taste test your way through featured 2-course Casual Menus, or indulge in a Fine-dining or Elite menu with 3-courses of options.
Explore the 2023 participating restaurants and their unique menus.
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Ending Homelessness Symposium
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Homelessness has reached disastrous proportions in Ontario, with devastating impacts on people, communities and businesses across the province. Homelessness is a challenge felt most by local governments because of policy choices of successive provincial governments.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) understands that action is required and is holding an Ending Homelessness Symposium May 3-4, 2023.
This one and a half-day event is open to elected officials; municipal staff; social, health, and economic partners; and all interested sector associations.
Now is the time for action to achieve the goal of ending homelessness. AMO’s Ending Homelessness Symposium will offer perspectives on the root causes of homelessness – including income insecurity, insufficient supply of deeply affordable housing, insufficient responses to mental health and addictions challenges and the policy responses required. Governments, community and healthcare partners, and the private sector all have a role to play.
Register now
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Ontario Investing in Municipal Road and Bridge Repairs
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The Ontario government is providing $30 million to support municipal road and bridge repairs in 21 municipalities across the province. The funding is being delivered through the Connecting Links program and will help to connect people to jobs, support the movement of goods and spur economic growth.
“We are investing in municipal roads and bridges to help municipalities make needed infrastructure improvements that will keep our communities moving safely and efficiently everyday,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “This funding is part of our government’s plan to create a strong Ontario, connecting more people to jobs, housing and economic opportunities across the province.”
The Connecting Links program provides funding for up to 90 per cent of eligible project costs. This includes a maximum of $3 million for road projects and $5 million for bridge projects. Eligible costs include the design, construction, renewal, rehabilitation and replacement of municipal roads and bridges that run through communities and connect to provincial highways.
All eligible municipalities are encouraged to apply for 2024–25 Connecting Links program funding when the intake opens later this year.
View program details
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Governments Helping Ontario Agri-Food Products Reach New Markets
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The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $6 million through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to help eligible agri-food businesses and industry organizations expand into domestic and foreign markets.
The Grow Ontario Market Initiative is a new, cost-share initiative that will help food and beverage processors, farm businesses and agri-food sector organizations take actions to reach new markets. Examples of eligible projects could include market analysis and planning, product development activities and/or new market-entry promotional efforts to expand opportunities for Ontario food products.
Under the Grow Ontario Market Initiative, applicants can receive up to 50 per cent cost share for eligible costs, to a maximum of $60,000 per business for producers and food and beverage processors, and up to $125,000 for sector organizations. Eligible businesses can apply for support through this program starting on May 19, 2023.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5-billion investment by federal‐provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.
View program details
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Community Futures Western Ontario AGM | |
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Community Futures Western Ontario would like to invite you to our 12th Annual General Meeting on
June 8th, 2023, at 10AM.
(Doors open at 9:30AM)
Best Western Arden Park Hotel, 552 Ontario St, Stratford, ON
We look forward to sharing our highlights and successes from this past year.
To register for this event please email Shari Cole at shari@wocfdca.com, and indicate if a guest will be joining you.
Please register by May 24th, 2023
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