2021 ROMA Conference Program

2021 Conference identifier

Each delegate attending this year’s virtual conference will have 30 additional days to view 100% of the program content! What that means is that those who are registered won’t miss a minute of programming. Delegates don’t need to make tough decisions about which session to attend, or have to miss plenary programming to attend a delegation meeting.

Monday, January 25                             

   
8:00 AM Welcome
8:10 AM Opening Keynote: Chantal Hébert  
8:50 AM ROMA Update and AGM 
Allan Thompson, Chair, ROMA
Afshin Majidi, Secretary Treasurer, ROMA
9:10 AM Wellbeing as a Foundation for Recovery in Rural Ontario 
Elizabeth McIsaac, President, Maytree
9:30 AM Visit Exhibitor Booths  
10:00 AM The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario
10:15 AM Graydon Smith, AMO President 
10:30 AM Andrea Horwath, Leader of the Official Opposition and NDP

 
10:45 AM The Hon. Christine Elliott, Minister of Health - COVID-19 Update 
11:00 AM Ministers’ Forum:
Supporting Vibrant Rural Communities with Health, Social Services, and Human Capital
This discussion will focus on the necessary health and other resources to continue protecting people and families, including the delivery of critical programs, and other supports for people impacted by the virus.
  Participating Ministers:
  Doug Downey, Attorney General
  Christine Elliott, Minister of Health and Deputy Premier
  Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General
  Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education
  Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility
  Jill Dunlop, Associate Minister of Children and Women’s Issues
  Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Long-Term Care
  Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development
  Ross Romano, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Todd Smith, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services
  Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions
11:45 AM Lunch Break and Networking
  • Visit Exhibitor Booths
  • Networking Opportunities:
    • MPAC: Discover MPAC’s new Municipal Connect!
    • NWMO: Join the Nuclear Waste Management Organization in a discussion about the transportation of Canada’s used nuclear fuel
12:30-1:45 PM     Concurrent Session A
  Come Hell or High Water: Actions to Mitigate Flooding
The purpose of this session is to offer participants practical examples of actions being taken to better prepare for flooding. Hear how Ottawa is looking to improve infrastructure as well as better cross jurisdictional communications to help reduce flood emergencies. MNRF will outline their flood strategy and how it can help hazard avoidance and preparedness. Participants will also hear about the recent work in Chatham-Kent that identified the science driving shoreline erosion, public process and resulting policies to deal with rising Lake Erie water levels.
 
 

Getting Connected: Practical Steps Communities Can Take to Close the Digital Divide
In the 21st century, connectivity is a necessity, not a luxury. Municipal governments do not have a mandated role in telecommunications but are facing increasing pressure to find ways to bring connectivity to their communities. Join us as we talk about the tools and resources that municipal governments can employ – if councils so choose – to build better connectivity outcomes.

  • Co-Sponsored by: The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) & the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN)

2:00-3:15 PM  

 Concurrent Session B
 

Now What? An Open Conversation on Community Safety and Well-Being Plans 
Now more than ever municipal governments have been called on to support the health, wellbeing and safety of their communities. The pandemic has heightened awareness and coordination needed for Community Safety and Well-Being Plans to effectively address a range of community issues. In this session, learn how communities across Ontario are completing their plans, tackling implementation, and how these plans can be a living document for improved services coordination. 
 
Rural Digital Transformation: Scalable Solutions for Municipalities 
During the pandemic, many municipalities would prefer to simply ‘CTRL-ALT-DELETE’ their problems. During this session, several rural municipalities will share how they are overcoming the challenges that the pandemic has revealed or exacerbated. Scalable digital solutions designed for rural municipalities are available and will help you move along the path towards more efficiency and effectiveness while ensuring municipal business continuity during the current global crisis.  

How Communities and Industry Can Better Work Together to Build Connectivity
Bringing improved broadband connectivity in rural communities is top of mind for all elected officials. Municipal governments know there is a digital divide, with many leading the charge to find local solutions, both in the short- and long-term. Solutions must involve working with the technology companies themselves. Join us as we discuss some connectivity solutions that already exist in Ontario, and how communities and industry can better work together.

  • Session Brought to you by: Telesat, Hydro One & Cradlepoint Technologies