Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, where municipal leaders from across the province came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. It was a valuable chance to learn, connect, and advocate for the issues that matter most to residents here in Osgoode Ward and across rural Ottawa.

One of the strongest themes throughout the conference was the need for long-term, predictable infrastructure funding. Municipalities are responsible for maintaining the roads, bridges, water systems, and facilities that residents rely on every day, yet many communities continue to face significant infrastructure pressures. For rural communities, this conversation is especially important. Our roads are more than transportation corridors; they support agriculture, move goods and services, connect residents, and play a vital role in our local economy. Ensuring that municipalities have the resources they need to maintain and renew this infrastructure remains a priority.

Housing affordability was another key topic. There was encouraging discussion about increasing housing starts and reducing barriers that make homeownership difficult for many families. While every community faces unique challenges, the message was clear: addressing housing needs requires collaboration, innovation, and continued investment.

I was also interested to hear discussions about Ontario’s growing energy needs and the work underway to expand the province’s electricity grid. As communities continue to grow and electrification increases, long-term planning will be essential to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with demand. Growth, housing, energy, and infrastructure are all closely connected, and planning for one requires planning for all.

One of the most meaningful conversations I participated in was alongside fellow members of the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee and Ottawa Paramedic Services Chief Pierre Poirier, where we met with Ontario’s Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones. We advocated for the expansion of community paramedicine, an innovative program that is already making a real difference in Ottawa. By providing preventative and primary care services directly in the community, the program helps seniors and vulnerable residents remain safely at home while reducing pressure on hospitals and the broader healthcare system. It is exactly the kind of practical, people-focused solution that deserves continued support.

Above all, AMO reinforced an important lesson: meaningful progress happens when municipalities, provinces, and other partners work together. Whether the issue is infrastructure, housing, healthcare, or economic development, strong collaboration is essential to delivering results for residents.

I left this year’s conference with valuable insights, new relationships, and a renewed commitment to advocating for the needs of our rural communities. I look forward to bringing these conversations home and continuing the work of building strong, resilient communities for the future.