It’s day one of the 2021 Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, being held virtually once again this year.
Nine local officials will be taking part in the online sessions, including Chatham-Kent’s CAO Don Shropshire.
“The Mayor’s been leading the charge with the Mayor of Burlington to look at mental health issues and how we can provide increased supports,” Shropshire says. “That’s become increasingly visible in our province.”
Typically the conference offers municipal delegates a chance to speak with provincial officials and key ministers, however there will be no one-on-one meetings this time around.
Shropshire says as part of the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus, they’re focusing on affordable housing, economic development, and labour force issues.
“From Chatham-Kent’s perspective, the main concern we hear from employers right now is the lack of a workforce, they’re growing and they need a skilled workforce to provide support. We’ve already been working with Minister McNaughton on some related issues, but we’re going to be part of that table.”
The CK delegation also includes Mayor Darrin Canniff, four councillors, and members of the senior administration team.
The AMO conference wraps up on Wednesday.