Municipal Code of Conduct Implementation, Buy Ontario, Rideshare, Child Care Funding, Regulatory Amendments to Tire Collection & Rentals Funding

Top Insights

• AMO endorsed the proposed regulations under the Municipal Accountability Act, 2026, which establish a single municipal code of conduct and integrity commissioner process. AMO made recommendations to promote consistent, practical and resourced implementation across Ontario.
• AMO and construction industry partners are calling on the province to make practical improvements to the Buy Ontario framework to reduce red tape and help municipalities support local businesses while managing infrastructure costs. 
• The four-year extension of the Canada–Ontario childcare agreement, with $12 billion in federal funding, reflects AMO's advocacy to preserve affordable childcare.
• AMO has sent a letter to the Minister of Transportation with advice on the proposed expansion of the Provincial Rideshare Framework.
• AMO welcomes the province’s amendments to the Tires Regulation, which will help address municipal concerns with tire collection and stockpiling.
• Responsive to AMO’s advocacy for more funding to protect and preserve affordable housing to help address the homelessness crisis, Build Canada Homes has launched the $1.5 billion Canada Rental Protection Fund. 

AMO Submission to Municipal Accountability Act Consultation 

AMO has submitted its formal feedback regarding the provincial consultation on regulations under the Municipal Accountability Act, 2026. The government's proposal, intended to take effect on November 15 with the start of the new council term, establishes: 

• a single, standardized municipal code of conduct 
• municipal integrity commissioner processes, and  
• education and training requirements 

AMO’s position is that municipal elected officials must be held to high ethical standards through an accessible Integrity Commissioner process. At the same time, local democracy must be protected from politically motivated or inappropriate complaints to avoid misuse of the system. 

AMO supports the draft regulations, which reflect our earlier recommendations. The standardized framework will help strengthen public confidence, fairness, and consistency across municipalities. This consistency will help protect the reputation and credibility of municipal government as the most trusted order of government. A few targeted refinements under the following key themes will further strengthen the framework: 

1. Consistency and Standardization  
2. Timely and Practical Implementation  
3. Capacity and Implementation Support 

AMO and construction industry partners call for practical improvements to Buy Ontario procurement rules 

AMO has joined with key infrastructure construction partners to ask the province for practical improvements to the Buy Ontario procurement framework.  

Municipalities already make most of their purchases from Ontario and Canadian businesses, but AMO has heard from our members that the Buy Ontario Act requirements have introduced red tape that makes it more difficult for local companies to comply while increasing the cost of major infrastructure projects. In a joint letter to the province, AMO and its partners outlined four recommendations: 

1. Provide clearer guidance on how to verify domestic content, evaluate and score bids, and balance domestic content requirements with value for tax dollars. 
2. Establish a provincial “Buy Ontario Qualified” pre-qualification framework so Ontario businesses have the option to prove compliance only once, and municipalities can rely on a provincial attestation. 
3. Reduce administrative burden by providing exemptions for low-value projects with low economic impacts. 
4. Conduct a market assessment of municipal demand and industry capacity to identify opportunities to invest in expanding domestic supply chains.

These recommendations are intended to make Buy Ontario rules easier to follow, reduce costs for municipalities, and help more Ontario- and Canada-based businesses compete for municipal contracts.  

Our joint advocacy follows a letter sent by Minister Flack to municipalities expressing the provincial government’s expectation that municipalities comply with Buy Ontario policies, and maximize the use of domestic goods and services during procurement. The letter indicates that in cases of non-compliance, the government will reconsider provincial funding made available to municipalities. 

Minister Flack’s letter also included a reference to the Building Ontario Business Initiative (BOBI) being expanded to municipalities. BOBI rules were consolidated into the provincial Buy Ontario Procurement Directive, and require provincial ministries, agencies, and public sector organizations to prioritize Ontario businesses where possible. The rules do not currently apply to municipalities. AMO is seeking clarity from the province on when and how BOBI may be extended to municipalities in the future and will provide more information as it becomes available. 

Canada–Ontario Affordable Child Care Agreement Extended  

This week, the federal and provincial governments announced a four-year extension to the Canada–Ontario Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CWELCC). Through the extension, Ontario will receive nearly $12 billion in federal funding over the next four years, from March 31, 2027, to March 31, 2031. 

AMO and the province welcome this additional federal funding which will maintain current parent fees at an average of $19 a day for families, with maximum fees no higher than $22 per day, until June 30, 2027.  Work will be undertaken to determine the next steps necessary to sustain and deliver its child care program. Provincial-federal negotiations continue for the provincial share of an additional $5.4 billion. This will be key to maintaining Ontario’s affordable child care. Ontario’s CWELCC implementation has delivered real results, making life more affordable for families. Municipal Service Managers have been central to that implementation, bringing local knowledge of community needs, child care capacity, and waitlists. As municipal partners accountable to council and their communities, they help ensure provincial and federal investments are delivered in ways that respond to local needs across Ontario.  

AMO Advocacy on Provincial Rideshare Framework 

AMO has sent a letter to the Minister of Transportation about the proposal to expand the Provincial Rideshare Framework to all municipalities. Under this expansion, the province would upload regulation of rideshare services, replacing local municipal by-laws. AMO’s letter calls on the province to: 

• Provide clarity on how it will provide oversight and enforcement of rideshare services, and  
• Coordinate with municipalities to ensure the framework does not prioritize U.S.-based rideshare companies over existing transportation options like public transit and Ontario-owned taxi and rideshare companies. 

Amendments to Tire Regulation 

The province announced amendments to the Tires Regulation (O. Reg. 225/18) in response to concerns about tire collection and diversion. AMO welcomes these changes, which reflect advocacy for stronger producer responsibility requirements and improved collection performance. The amendments are expected to help address collection challenges and tire stockpiles experienced by many municipalities.  

Canada Rental Protection Fund Launched 

Build Canada Homes (BCH), the federal Crown corporation dedicated to expanding affordable housing, has officially launched the Canada Rental Protection Fund. The fund will contribute to addressing a major pressure in Ontario’s housing market and help prevent homelessness by avoiding the loss of affordable rental units for low- and moderate-income households.  

The $1.5 billion national fund is designed to protect at-risk rental properties and strengthen community ownership by providing a mix of grants and low-cost financing for acquisition of existing buildings. The initiative aims to safeguard 7,000 affordable homes over its first five years. It is available to eligible municipal Local Housing Corporations, non-profit housing providers, co-operatives, and Indigenous housing providers and governments.