Ontario and Quebec Municipalities Sign Historic Accord 

Toronto, Ontario, May 13, 2009 – The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Union of Municipalities of Quebec (UMQ) signed an Agreement of Cooperation at a joint meeting yesterday in Gatineau, Quebec.  The Agreement acknowledges the similar opportunities and challenges faced by municipal governments in both provinces and commits AMO and UMQ to working together on issues of common interest.

“The AMO-UMQ agreement is about good neighbours working together on behalf of the communities they serve,” said Peter Hume, President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.  “Our communities are stronger and more influential when we work together to promote good public policy.”

This AMO-UMQ agreement identifies key areas for collaboration, including relations with aboriginal communities, research related to tax policy and municipal services, and environmental policy, including climate change and waste management policy.

In partnership with the government of Ontario and industry, AMO has secured important advances in waste management policy in Ontario since 2005.  Advances include new recycling plans for electronics, household special wastes and used tires that will be funded 100% by the industries that bring these products into the market.  Further work is underway that would see industry taking responsibility for all blue box costs.

AMO and UMQ have agreed that their first joint priority is to promote a unified waste management policy framework for Ontario and Quebec.

“A unified waste management and diversion policy in Quebec and Ontario would benefit communities in both provinces, improve environmental protections and benefit industry by rationalizing the rules in two thirds of the Canadian market,” said AMO President, Peter Hume.

Two out of three Canadians are governed and served by the municipalities that belong to AMO and UMQ.

AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments.  AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system. 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Pat Vanini, AMO Executive Director, 416-971-9856, ext. 316 or (416) 729-4394
Brian Lambie, AMO Media Contact, 416-729-5425