2025 AMO Conference Highlights and Highway Advocacy
2025 AMO Conference Highlights
Thank you to everyone who attended!
Infrastructure Funding
The top provincial announcement at the conference was an additional $1.6 billion for the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program. AMO welcomes this boost in funding for core infrastructure projects like roads and water systems, which support communities and growth. AMO has called for such investments to support growth, build more homes, and provide economic stimulus amid ongoing trade disputes and global economic uncertainty. Our advocacy, including a pre-conference letter to Ministers Surma and Flack, highlights that while municipalities are committed to the province’s ambitious growth agenda, they need the necessary infrastructure funding to achieve it. In fact, a recent AMO survey found that despite rising construction costs, municipalities are increasing their infrastructure investment this year to support more housing and economic development.
Other Highlights
- Indigenous relations: AMO launched its first Indigenous Relations Action Plan, developed with Indigenous partners and municipal sector leaders to strengthen municipal-Indigenous relationships.
- Member engagement: We held three innovative “Have Your Say” sessions to gather direct feedback from you on our key policy priorities and advocacy. We’ll be sharing a summary of what we heard and how we will use your valuable insights soon.
- Member resources: Use these priority key messages to continue the conversations you started at delegations last week.
Advocacy to Improve Northern Ontario Highways
On August 8, AMO wrote to provincial and federal transportation ministers to endorse the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities’ proposal for Trans-Canada Highway improvements. The proposal calls for a 2+1 highway solution for Highways 11 and 17 to enhance their safety and reliability. These improvements are critical to Ontario's and Canada's economic strength, as they facilitate trade, support the national economy, and address internal barriers to a unified Canadian market.
