2026 Ministers' Forums

The ROMA Board of Director’s is pleased to share that the 2026 Annual Conference features a new and dynamic approach to the much-loved Ministers’ Forum.

On offer in the program for 2026, will be two ministers’ forums, structured to focus on specific ministries and issues.
 
FORUM #1 SUNDAY JANUARY 18: 4:25PM – 5:10PM (PLENARY HALL)
Building Ontario: Finance, Infrastructure, and Economic Growth

Forum 1 brings together the ministries responsible for the province's economic framework, physical infrastructure, and the core legislative environment necessary for municipal growth. Delegates can address questions focusing on funding and financing municipal services and infrastructure, grid modernization, streamlining development approvals, and economic competitiveness.

FORUM #2 MONDAY JANUARY 19: 4:20PM-5:05PM (PLENARY HALL)
Investing in People: Health, Social Housing and Social Services

Forum 2 is an opportunity for delegates to dig into matters focused on addressing homelessness and affordable housing, improve health access, improve public health outcomes, meet social services needs, and strengthen local resilience and safety through policing, justice, and emergency response.

How the Forums will Work

Questions from delegates will be moderated as they always have been and must have provincial wide relevance. Local issues remain topics of discussion for your delegation meetings.

What will be different is that your questions must focus on the specific forum theme. So, be prepared and know which forum is the right one for your questions.

ROMA is piloting the two forum approach in an attempt to provide more opportunities for delegates to ask questions and engage an array of provincial ministers on critical matters.

2026 Forum Moderator

ROMA is pleased to share that Norm Gale, former City Manager of Thunder Bay and Chair of the Ontario Big City Mayor’s Emergency Services Steering Committee, as this years forums moderator. Many of you will have seen Norm in action as the moderator for the AMO Conference “Have Your Say” sessions.

Participating Ministries

Forum #1

1.    MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING
2.    RURAL AFFAIRS
3.    FINANCE
4.    INFRASTRUCTURE
5.    ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION AND TRADE
6.    TRANSPORTATION
7.    ENERGY AND MINES
8.    NATURAL RESOURCES 
9.    ENVIRONMENT, CONSERVATION AND PARKS
10.    AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND AGRIBUSINESS
11.    INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS AND FIRST NATIONS ECONOMIC RECONCILIATION
12.    NORTHERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH
13.    LABOUR, IMMIGRATION, TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
14.    INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
15.    PUBLIC AND BUSINESS SERVICE DELIVERY AND PROCUREMENT
16.    RED TAPE REDUCTION
 

Forum #2

1.    MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS AND HOUSING
2.    RURAL AFFAIRS
3.    HEALTH
4.    LONG-TERM CARE
5.    SENIORS AND ACCESSIBILITY
6.    CHILDREN, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES
7.    EDUCATION
8.    COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AND SECURITY
9.    CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM
10.    ATTORNEY GENERAL
11.    SOLICITOR GENERAL
12.    EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
13.    SPORT
14.    TOURISM, CULTURE AND GAMING 
15.    FRANCOPHONE AFFAIRS
16.    TREASURY BOARD SECRETARIAT