City Meets with Ministers to Advocate for Further Social, Economic Supports

City of Cambridge municipal leaders joined provincial ministers to further the social and economic priorities of our local community at the virtual 2021 Association of Municipalities Ontario Conference this week.

During a series of one on one advocacy meetings, Mayor Kathryn McGarry and City Manager David Calder highlighted key strategic initiatives and projects vital to the future growth and health of our community with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Infrastructure and Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Mayor McGarry also joined Region of Waterloo partners in meetings with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

“These one on one conversations are essential in furthering our priorities for both the City and Region as we work with provincial partners to build the communities we want for our children and grandchildren,” said Mayor McGarry. “While that means addressing the infrastructure gap, building connected transportation systems and state of the art facilities like the Cambridge Recreation complex, it also means collaboration on supports for small businesses and working with our colleagues across Ontario to add to the continuum of care for those in need of addictions and mental health support. All of these things are key to a well-rounded, healthy and economically sound City.”

"This annual conference is an opportunity to strengthen relationships with provincial leaders and to gain valuable insights from other municipalities,” added David Calder. “This is particularly key as we collectively continue to deal with the ongoing impact of the pandemic on our municipal services and our communities as a whole, and as we work together on economic and social recovery.”

As part of ongoing advocacy work, Mayor McGarry and Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) joined delegations with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Infrastructure. Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) is comprised of mayors of Ontario cities with populations of 100,000 or more, providing a voice for big city mayors in policy debates that impact Ontario cities.

This year’s annual Association of Municipalities Ontario Conference, hosted by the City of London, took place virtually for the second year in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual conference is a chance for municipal officials to discuss shared challenges and opportunities for their communities. For more information visit amo.on.ca.

-30-

Media contact:

Ashton Patis
Chief of Staff
Office of Mayor and Council
City of Cambridge
patisa@cambridge.ca / 510 240 3030