ROMA Board Highlights
New $175M Health & Safety Water Funding – Supporting Rural Infrastructure Needs
The province launched its Health and Safety Water Stream application intake on April 17. This crucial infrastructure program will help municipalities address aging water infrastructure and protect communities from extreme weather events.
This new funding directly responds to the ROMA’s advocacy to increase small and rural communities’ access to infrastructure funding. The design specifically supports the unique needs of rural communities by prioritizing essential water system repairs to protect existing housing, not growth. This program is a significant step towards providing the necessary resources for a stronger future in our rural municipalities.
To maintain the almost half a trillion dollars in municipally owned and operated assets, strategic investments to repair and rehabilitate our infrastructure like water and wastewater systems is essential. However, small municipalities often lack the fiscal capacity to maintain this vital infrastructure. This Health and Safety Water Stream represents a valuable opportunity to access funding specifically tailored to these challenges.
To assist municipal staff in preparing strong applications, AMO and the Ministry of Infrastructure will be hosting a webinar for the municipal sector in the coming weeks. Invitations will be sent to CAOs.
We encourage all eligible rural municipalities to explore this important funding opportunity. This program recognizes the vital role of infrastructure in ensuring the well-being of rural Ontario.
Addressing U.S. Tariffs and highlighting urgent priorities
ROMA continues to support AMO’s broader municipal advocacy related to U.S. tariffs. Ontario’s municipalities support a coordinated strategy with the federal and provincial governments and stand ready to contribute our purchasing power, economic development expertise and other tools to the effort.
ROMA joins AMO in calling for new economic stimulus funding that prioritizes municipal infrastructure including in rural communities. Such funding would help build and repair local infrastructure and community housing so our towns can recover from trade issues and economic changes.
AMO policy is developing detailed modeling and tools to help municipalities understand the financial impact of tariffs.
ROMA has reached out to newly minted members of the Ontario Government cabinet to share key priorities for rural municipalities. Tariff-driven economic pressures further highlight the need to address key priorities, including infrastructure, healthcare access and homelessness.
At their most recent meeting, ROMA board members were pleased to see the Ontario Government’s first call for proposals for expanding primary care access included many rural communities.
AMO Survey on Municipal Health-Relating Spending
ROMA continues to join AMO’s call for a better funding system between the province and municipalities. An improved funding framework would help rural Ontario realize our full potential and contribute to Ontario’s overall prosperity.
As part of this work, AMO will soon be surveying treasurers on the financial and in-kind contributions municipalities make to health-related services.
ROMA urges rural municipal treasurers and councils to respond so that our communities are well represented and inform AMO’s work to urge the province to collaborate on a better financial relationship.
Mark your calendars!
AMO and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce are planning a Trade and Tariff Forum on June 6 in Toronto.
The Rural Healthy Democracy Forum will be held June 11 in Almonte, Ontario. Almonte is located in Mississippi Mills and about 40 minutes outside Ottawa.