ROMA 2026 Conference Recap and February Board Highlights

ROMA 2026 Ontario Rural Leaders Conference – By the Numbers

The ROMA Board would like to express its gratitude to delegates, our provincial government partners, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors, whose engagement contributed to a successful ROMA 2026 Ontario’s Rural Leaders Conference!

The turn out and engagement at this year's event confirmed for the ROMA Board the importance that its commitment to support rural leaders in building thriving rural communities is more important than ever.

Attendance and engagement surpassed all previous attendance, and this includes a record-breaking number of delegation meetings. Thank you to all Ministers, Parliamentary Assistants, and staff who supported these important meetings.

Broadband and Connectivity in Rural Ontario: Consultations with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Commissioner

At its February meeting, the ROMA Board discussed several items including Septic Tank Safety Awareness, the 2026 schedule of Teeny Tiny Summits (check for updates soon), and other matters facing local rural communities such as infrastructure and service delivery pressures.

Of note to ROMA members, the Board met with CRTC Commissioner Bram Abramson to discuss the connectivity challenges facing rural communities. The ROMA Board appreciates how these ongoing concerns continue to impact local service delivery, economic development, and community well-being.

• The CRTC Commissioner and ROMA encourage municipalities to intervene in relevant consultations to ensure the rural perspective is understood and considered by the CRTC. Municipalities can find open consultations here and can sign up to the CRTC's mailing list here. Our voices matter in CRTC decisions that determine how our communities get and stay connected. 
• Warning that rural communities could be cut off if landlines are removed in areas without reliable internet or cellular coverage. ROMA called on the CRTC to talk to municipalities first, rather than making a move that could widen the digital divide. For your reference, please find the link to the letter here.
• ROMA is stepping in to improve how cellular coverage is mapped by applying for intervenor status in this CRTC consultation.  We know many parts of rural Ontario still have dead zones, even when official maps say otherwise. The Board asks municipalities to write to the CRTC and to help us push for more accurate maps and better cell service for everyone.

The ROMA Board next meets in April when the provincial government has resumed its legislative term. Look for our update following the meeting.

Questions? Please reach out to roma@roma.on.ca.