Housing, economy, mental health issues are key priorities for Peel at AMO conference
Published August 22, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Investments in housing, climate and the economy, and mental health and addiction services are just some of the hot-button issues in Mississauga and Brampton that the Region of Peel wants to see action on from the province.
Regional Councillors took those concerns to the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO) Annual General Meeting and Conference in London over the weekend.
The annual conference gives representatives from Peel, Mississauga and Brampton a chance to engage with government Ministries and key stakeholders across the province, and Regional Chair Nando Iannicca says three key priorities this year are “affordable housing, health and sustainability.”
“We want to ensure important investments are made for the resiliency of Peel residents and businesses now and into the future,” Iannucci said in a release. “We continue to work with our provincial colleagues to advance our initiatives on behalf of Peel residents.”
The conference is a way for the Region to advocate for funding to support the expansion of community support services, community-based mental health and addiction services to address growing waitlists and to help tackle the challenges faced by seniors.
Mississauga and Brampton will also be advocating individually for their own residents on issues like a second hospital and cancer care centre in Brampton, transportation projects,
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“We are motivated by our diverse communities, and we continue to attract record private investments as we embark on a journey to lead in new housing, environmental stewardship and innovation,” said Mayor Patrick Brown in a release.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke at the AMO conference on Monday (Aug. 21) and said the province is expanding so-called strong mayor powers to dozens of municipalities and is also offering $1.2 billion in incentives for cities and towns to meet housing targets.
Mississauga and Brampton have already been earmarked for strong mayor powers, which include allowing mayors to propose housing-related bylaws and pass them with the support of one-third of councillors. The latest expansion involves municipalities with populations projected to exceed 50,000 by 2031, such as Aurora, Welland and North Bay.
The 2023 AMO Annual General Meeting and Conference runs until Wednesday.
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