The inaugural South Shores Mayors of Ontario meeting in Chatham-Kent brought together many issues and priorities the group wants to push on the provincial government.
The 42 mayors and CAOs discussed arbitration and immigration policies, sustainable infrastructure funding, economic development and high energy costs.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope this group will try to bring about change. "This isn't talk, okay. This is a stepping stone. Some of these things, like arbitration, AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) is working on that," says Hope. "Now we're going to put our voice to that organization."
Hope doesn't think the lack of representation in the governing party in some southern Ontario municipalities will have a negative impact. "I think we will get the ears of government in listening to some of the concerns we have," says Hope. "But also not just about us, it's about the groups we align ourselves with and the organizations we associate ourselves with to add even more of a voice of where we're coming from."
Hope says the group of mayors will meet again in the very near future.
