The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) is constituted within the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and addresses key province-wide policy issues from a rural municipal government perspective. From this vantage point, ROMA acts as the rural municipal voice in Ontario when considering and responding to proposed provincial legislation while proactively working with the Government on solutions.

ROMA’s mandate is achieved through the following objectives:

• Identify and provide leadership on key province-wide policy issues that impact rural municipalities.
• Promote the value and health of rural municipalities in Ontario.
• Advocate for the collective interests of rural municipalities that are impacted by provincial legislation.
• Facilitate partnerships and liaise with groups and organizations that have an interest in rural municipal issues.
• Work with other groups and organizations that have a rural municipal focus.
• Develop plans and reports that address the policy direction of ROMA.
• Monitor rural municipal policy issues as they arise.

To help achieve its mandate, ROMA and the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA) jointly host an annual conference each February that provides a forum where rural municipal issues are discussed by Ontario’s municipal leaders  including elected and appointed officials, staff members, and others in the field of rural policy and program development.

For decades, ROMA has ensured that matters which affect rural municipalities are brought to the attention of the provincial and federal governments. Under ROMA’s Constitution, leadership is provided by the Chairperson and the Board of Directors. The Board meets approximately eight times per calendar year.