Program

Pre-Conference Session: New Councillor Day (additional registration and fees)

• Module 1: Governing in Practice
• Module 2: Making Decisions
  • Program Facilitators: Mayor Cam Guthrie and award-winning educator Dr. Kate Graham

Concurrent Sessions

1. Rural Responses to Flooding: Building Resilience in a Changing Climate

Flooding events are becoming more frequent and severe, creating significant challenges for rural municipalities, local infrastructure, and residents. This session will explore how rural communities are preparing for, responding to, and recovering from flood events. Municipal leaders and experts will discuss practical approaches to emergency management, infrastructure planning, watershed management, and securing support for recovery efforts. Participants will gain insights into innovative local solutions and strategies for strengthening community resilience. 

2. Building the Rural Municipal Talent Pipeline

Municipalities rely on employees across dozens of occupations to provide vital community services and infrastructure. Rural municipalities face particular workforce challenges due to migration to urban centres and competition with the private sector. This session will introduce research and resources to support municipal workforce planning, including how to develop a talent pipeline through work-integrated learning partnerships with post-secondary institutions.

2:45pm – 5:00pm

Plenary Program

• Welcome and O Canada
  • Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation  
• Opening Keynote: Steve Paikin
• ROMA Chair, Christa Lowry
• AGM, Afshin Majidi, Secretary Treasurer
• Closing the Distance: Concrete Actions to Improve Health Care in Rural and Northern Ontario 

Rural and northern communities face distinct health care challenges. While Ontario is making major investments through initiatives such as the Primary Care Action Plan, rural solutions must reflect rural realities. In this session, municipal and health leaders will discuss how practical actions can be implemented to strengthen health care delivery in rural and northern Ontario, and how local realities must shape the path forward. 

Concurrent Sessions

1. A New Municipal Ethical Framework: What to Expect 

The new standardized code of conduct and integrity commissioner process has implications for municipal councillors and heads of council. Join this interactive session to learn more about what to expect in the coming months and to inform the upcoming training and education by municipal Integrity Commissioners.

2. The Case for Rural Transit

Reliable transportation is essential to connecting people with services, opportunities and one another. This session will examine rural transit in Ontario, including emerging trends, practical considerations and community outcomes.  

3. Archaeological Heritage Planning  

Concurrent Sessions

1. Navigating Conservation Authority Consolidation

As conservation authority consolidation moves closer to implementation, municipalities need to understand how changes affect governance, service delivery and local partnerships. This session will provide perspectives on the transition and the path forward. 

2. The Rising Cost of Emergency Services

The cost of providing emergency services continues to grow, placing increasing pressure on already strained municipal finances. This session will explore the key drivers behind policing costs and how municipalities can continue to provide services our communities expect that are also affordable.    

3. AI – Opportunities & Risks for Rural Service Delivery 

Plenary Program

• Marit Stiles, Leader of the Official Opposition and Ontario NDP
• Riley Brockington, President, AMO
• The Hon. Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs
• Rural Inspiration Awards 2027
• ROMA Board of Directors Election Results
• The Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• Ministers’ Forum

Plenary Program

• John Fraser, Interim Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party
• Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario
• Paul Ainslie, President, Good Roads

Plenary Program

• Wrap Up