A tireless advocate for our community, Elgin County honours Deputy Warden Duncan McPhail

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Past Warden Duncan McPhail, Mayor of West Elgin and Past Warden of Elgin County.

With the news of Elgin County Deputy Warden Duncan McPhail’s passing on March 11, 2023, Warden Ed Ketchabaw spoke admiringly about a man who worked tirelessly for the residents he served. “We share our community’s grief, and know the residents of West Elgin and Elgin County as a whole, have lost a true advocate,” said Ketchabaw.

McPhail served for 17 years on County Council. He was Warden in 2000, 2001 and 2019, and was appointed Deputy Warden in 2020, 2022 and 2023 until his passing. Deputy Warden McPhail was also a dedicated board member of Southwestern Public Health.

Past Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks recognized by Law Society of Ontario for public service

Past Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks has been named the recipient of the 2023 Lincoln Alexander Award from the Law Society of Ontario. This award recognizes a lawyer or paralegal who has demonstrated long-standing interest and commitment to the public and to the pursuit of community service. 

“Anyone who has had the opportunity to get to know Selwyn knows public service is his passion. Whether serving as an elected official, a board representative, or a volunteer, Selwyn has worked tirelessly to support people, especially those who are vulnerable,” said Grey County Warden Brian Milne. “On behalf of Grey County Council, I extend my congratulations to Past Warden Hicks and our sincere thanks for all the great work he does for our communities.”

Alison Newton selected as

Brant County CAO

The County of Brant Council is thrilled to announce the appointment of the new Chief Administrative Officer. Alison Newton has been selected to assume this complex and exciting role starting April 3, 2023.

“Ms. Newton has been with the County of Brant for over six years as the General Manager of Strategic Initiatives,” said Mayor David Bailey. “Throughout her time at the County, she has demonstrated a strong ability to build and grow her teams, manage a diverse portfolio, and integrate into the community; understanding both the challenges and opportunities that are ahead. On behalf of Council, I would like to thank Ms. Newton for accepting this role and I know we will work very well together on behalf of our great community.”

Ben Addley appointed as Oxford County CAO

Oxford County Council has appointed Ben Addley, Interim Chief Administrative Officer, as the County’s permanent Chief Administrative Officer effective March 9, 2023.

Addley assumed the Chief Administrative Officer role on an interim basis in September 2022. Previously, Ben served as Oxford County’s Director/Chief of Paramedic Services, a role he held since 2016.

Addley brings to the Chief Administrative Officer role extensive and wide-ranging senior-level public sector experience. He has served on the board of directors for the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs and a number of multi-sector committees and working groups.

Meighan Wark appointed to AMO County Caucus

The County of Huron CAO, Meighan Wark, has been appointed to the County Caucus of the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Board of Directors. Wark will hold the position for the remainder of the 2022-2024 term. As a member of the board, Wark will help set policy for the association and serve as a key municipal leader in the province.

“AMO Board members play a key role in advancing good public policy for the benefit of Municipal governments in every part of Ontario,” said AMO President Colin Best. “The AMO Board is delighted to welcome Meighan Wark as a member of the AMO County Caucus.”

Ending Homelessness Symposium



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.

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Governments Reach Landmark Agreement to Strengthen Ontario’s Agri-Food Sector

Farmers and the province’s wider agri-food sector will benefit from an upcoming new, five-year agreement between the governments of Canada and Ontario. The agreement will provide a range of investments that will help improve productivity, competitiveness and resilience in this key area of the economy and enable the province to meet goals outlined in Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy.

The governments have negotiated a Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership for Ontario that will see upwards of $1.77 billion in support for the agri-food sector over the life of the agreement. Through Sustainable CAP, $569 million will be invested in strategic initiatives, which is a 25 percent increase over the previous funding agreement. There will also be roughly $1.2 billion for continued, demand-driven, business risk management supports for farmers.

The agreement will include the launch of the new Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), a funding initiative to mitigate climate change and support the agricultural sector in better addressing sustainability outcomes.



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Housing Accelerator Fund Launched

On March 17, the federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) was launched. This $4 billion initiative provides incentive funding for municipal governments to fast track the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada. The program will run until 2026-27.

The Housing Accelerator Fund will offer support to municipalities that will take action, such as:

growing housing supply faster than their historical average;

increasing densification;

speeding-up approval times;

tackling NIMBYism and establishing inclusionary zoning bylaws; and,

encouraging public transit-oriented development.

The application portal for the HAF will open this June. Municipal governments are invited to submit an application through one of the two streams of the fund and are encouraged to think big and be innovative in their approaches.

All applications must include an action plan with supply growth targets and initiatives to grow housing supply and speed up housing approvals.



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