Mayor Paul Lefebvre is at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference, which is being held in Ottawa from Aug. 17-20.
A major event on the municipal calendar every year, the AMO conference brings together municipal and provincial leaders, giving elected officials and senior municipal staffers the chance to sit down with cabinet ministers, MPPs, and senior government officials “to discuss priorities, share best practices, and strengthen municipal-provincial partnerships,” the city said in a news release.
“Our community continues to face significant challenges, including the pressure of housing demand, infrastructure renewal, and responding to the mental health and addictions crisis,” Lefebvre said in a news release.
“At the same time, Greater Sudbury has tremendous opportunities to play a leadership role in areas such as critical minerals, research excellence, and health care. By strengthening our partnerships with the province and keeping Sudbury’s priorities front and center, we are working to secure the investments and support needed to ensure Greater Sudbury remains a leader in innovation, housing, and well-being.”
Besides pushing the city’s priorities with government officials, the release states the AMO conference provides opportunities to strengthen relationships with other elected officials through bodies like the Northern Ontario Big City Mayors (NOLUM), the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities and the Big City Mayors of Ontario (OBCM).
While at AMO, Lefebvre met with several high-level elected officials. With Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy he discussed the importance of sustainable provincial investments in municipalities and critical infrastructure that supports growth.
With Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Minister Nolan Quinn, Lefebvre discussed strengthening partnerships with post-secondary institutions and promoting research excellence.
As well, with Northern Economic Development and Growth Minister George Pirie, the mayor highlighted key investments needed to support Sudbury's innovation ecosystem, workforce development and infrastructure.
Lefebvre also met with Vijay Thanigasalam, the associate minister for Mental Health and Addictions, to highlight the urgent need for operational and capital investments in mental health, addictions and support services.
The mayor also met with representatives of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and the Solicitor General, on such diverse topics as affordable housing, improved road safety and the completion of the four-laning of Highway 69.
“The mayor was assured that the twinning of Highway 69 remains a top priority for the province and that the province is cautiously optimistic that this critical project will be completed,” the release states.
Greater Sudbury sent a delegation of six people to the conference. Lefebvre was joined by CAO Shari Lichterman, Community Well-Being GM Tyler Campbell and city councillors Natalie Labbée (Ward 7) and Fern Cormier (Ward 10). The mayor's chief of staff, Dawn Noel de Tilly was also part of the delegation.
Although final costs have not being tallied, the city estimates the cost to attend the conference (transportation, hotel, registration, meals and incidentals) was aroiund $16,080.