Pembroke’s Deputy Mayor says the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference was a very productive weekend of conversations and meetings.
Brian Abdallah attended the conference alongside COA David Unrau and fellow city councillor Ian Kuehl.
Abdallah says his and Kuehl’s meetings with various provincial ministers were among more than 600 that were conducted over the course of the conference.
Abdallah says he hopes the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing takes his suggestions seriously regarding “stagnant subdivisions,” subdivisions that have been approved but still have yet to be built after years of waiting.
Abdallah says Ontario is the only province where municipalities have to bear the burden of social housing and similar services, a concern that he says was brought up during the conference.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has argued that that situation needs to change, an opinion Abdallah agrees with.
He says the city appreciates the funding it currently receives, but AMO wants a long-term funding plan to deal with issues like homelessness.
Abdallah said he also requested the province provide more funding to help pay for policing costs that arise from social issues, and for further funding since Pembroke is a “service hub” for much of Renfrew County and the Ottawa Valley.
He cited the courthouse as an example.
Abdallah ultimately described the meetings as friendly and productive, saying he believes the government is getting the message the city wanted to send.
The conference was held from January 18th to 20th in Toronto.
(Written by Steve Berard)