Town Delegation Wraps Up ROMA 2023 Conference

Saugeen Shores, ON; A group representing the Town of Saugeen Shores is returning from the Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto, after lobbying the provincial government on several priorities for the Municipality.

Mayor Luke Charbonneau – along with Southampton Ward Councillor Cheryl Grace, Chief Administrative Officer Kara Van Myall and Manager of Strategic Initiatives Jill Roote – spent three days in Toronto speaking with party leaders, ministry representatives and other municipal leaders on issues that matter to the Town’s residents and businesses.

The delegation presented briefs to provincial officials from:

• the Ministry of Education on working with Bluewater District School Board to build a new school that will service our growing population of school-age children,
• the Ministry of Health to help attract and retain medical professionals in the community,
• the Ministry of Transportation to help the Town manage its active transportation infrastructure.
• the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to support our recreational infrastructure, including the new Aquatic & Wellness Centre

The group also met with Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, as well delegates from the Ontario New Democratic Party, to talk about the role of nuclear in Ontario’s clean energy future. 

“It is important for the provincial government to know what is happening in Saugeen Shores,” said Charbonneau. “We are one of the fastest growing communities in Ontario, and our residents are part of the workforce that powers Ontario.  When we do well, so does the County, the region, and the province.”

The delegation will present a report of those talks to Council on February 13.  Members of the public and the media are encouraged to attend in person, or virtually at www.youtube.com/@TownofSaugeenShores/playlists and click on “Public Meetings”.

ATTACHED PHOTO (From Left): Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer; Mayor Luke Charbonneau; Shefer Sabawy (centre), Parliamentary Assistant for the Ontario Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport; Southampton Ward Councillor Cheryl Grace; Jill Roote, Manager, Strategic Initiatives.