EOWC Communications

Recent Posts

Aug 26, 2026

EOWC Resolution 2026-06 Featured in News Articles

The EOWC's 2026-06 resolution, "The EOWC Calls for Respect During Municipal Elections on ALTO Project", has gained traction in regional media outlets. The resolution calls for calls for delaying any decisions or agreements related to the ALTO project until after the October 2026 municipal elections, as municipalities should not be pressured to make significant decisions during an election period. The resolution also urges the Government of Canada and ALTO to create a Municipal Advisory Table, bringing together municipalities, First Nations, municipal associations, legal experts, and project representatives to ensure transparency, meaningful consultation, and collaboration throughout the planning, construction, and operation of the project. The EOWC's resolution and stance has been featured in: InQuinte The Kingston Whig Standard PTBO Canada Brighton Today Northumberland News Quinte News Update Alto has agreed to not "proactively engage with elected officials during the election period." Although Alto will continue technical discussions with municipal staff that were already underway or scheduled prior to the start of the election period. ...

Aug 25, 2026

The EOWC Champions Regional Priorities and Partnerships at AMO 2026

Ottawa, ON — August 20, 2026 — The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) - representing 103 rural and small-urban municipalities - participated in the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, held in the City of Ottawa, championing regional municipal priorities. “The AMO Conference continues to be a vital...

Aug 13, 2026

EOWC Resolution 2026-05: Building Ontario Together: HST Reinvestment for Municipal Infrastructure

Date: August 13, 2026 Moved by: Warden Jennifer Murphy, County of Renfrew Seconded by: Warden Corinna Smith-Gatcke, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville WHEREAS Ontario municipalities are responsible for delivering and maintaining the critical infrastructure that supports economic growth, housing, public safety, and quality of life, including roads, bridges,...

Aug 13, 2026

EOWC News Release: The EOWC Calls for Respect During Municipal Elections on ALTO Project

Eastern Ontario — August 13, 2026 — During their Board of Directors’ Meeting today, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), representing 103 municipalities, passed a resolution calling for transparency, meaningful consultation, and respect for municipal democratic processes around the ALTO high speed train project. The EOWC is calling on...

Aug 13, 2026

EOWC Resolution 2026-06: The EOWC Calls for Respect During Municipal Elections on ALTO Project

Date: August 13, 2026 Moved by: Warden Jennifer Murphy, County of Renfrew Seconded by: Warden Bob Mullin, County of Hastings THAT the EOWC Board of Directors defer any decision or meeting related to ALTO or a Confidential Information Sharing Agreement until after October 26, 2026 municipal elections; and THAT ALTO and...

Jul 30, 2026

EOWC Eastern Ontario Economic Transformation Action Plan Featured in Todays Farmer

The EOWC's plan to create an Eastern Ontario Economic Transformation Action Plan was featured in the July 28 issue of Today's Farmer, mentioning the EOWC's request for proposals, which recently closed on July 21, 2026. The Eastern Ontario Economic Transformation Action Plan will be a transformational project that will...

Jul 30, 2026

Warden Mario Zanth Announced New 2026 Vice-Chair

The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC”) is pleased to announce that Mr. Mario Zanth, 2026 Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (the “UCPR”), has been elected as the EOWC's Vice-Chair for the remainder of 2026, following its Board of Directors meeting on July 17, 2026. The...

Jul 30, 2026

Warden Mario Zanth Announced New EOWC 2026 Vice-Chair

Jul 29, 2026

EOWC Resolution 2026-04: Request for Urgent Provincial Action on the Accuracy of Municipal Voters’ Lists

Voter Infromation Voters can visit registertovote.on.ca to check or update their voter registration until August 12. All eligible electors including non-resident voters (i.e. owners, tenants, and their spouses) will be able to register subject to showing proof of identify and property eligibility. After August 12, Elections Ontario will provide...

May 20, 2026

Eastern Ontario Municipal Leaders Bring Unified Voice to Queen’s Park

May 12, 2026 Toronto, ON — The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus concluded a highly successful advocacy day at Queen’s Park. The advocacy day culminated in a packed reception attended by municipal leaders, provincial officials, and business partners. The event featured remarks from: Premier Doug Ford Hon. Rob Flack Hon. Steve Clark MPP Stephen Blais MPP Mike Schreiner Representing 103 municipalities from across...

Mar 23, 2026

EOWC Resolution 2026-02: The EOWC Opposes ALTO High-Speed Rail Project in its Current Form

Date: March 19, 2026 Moved by: Warden Richard Kidd, Lanark County Seconded by: Warden Corinna Smith-Gatcke, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville WHEREAS the Federal Government has identified ALTO high-speed rail as a nation-building project with an estimated cost of $60 to $90 billion, to deliver faster, more reliable...

Oct 23, 2025

The EOWC’s Letter Regarding the Consultation on the Future of Community Natural Gas

Dear Minister Lecce, On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Ministry of Energy and Mines’ consultation on the future of community natural gas expansion. As Ontario continues to grow, reliable, secure, and diversified energy solutions are essential to ensuring...

Oct 23, 2025

EOWC Concerns Regarding Infrastructure Funding OCIF Reductions in Eastern Ontario Communities

Dear Minister Surma and Parliamentary Assistant Amarjot Sandhu, On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), I am writing to express our concern regarding the depreciation of Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) allocations in 2026 to our municipalities across eastern Ontario. As a collective representing 1.1 million residents...

Oct 23, 2025

The EOWC Strengthens Ties with Federal Leaders During Parliament Hill Advocacy Day

Ottawa, ON – On October 21, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) met in Ottawa for its Parliament Hill Advocacy Day, meeting with federal officials and Members of Parliament to discuss urgent priorities impacting our 103 small urban and rural eastern Ontario communities. Representing 1.1 million residents, or 1 in...

Oct 15, 2025

Strengthening Canada’s Trade Corridors through Investment in Eastern Ontario Ports

Dear Prime Minister, Re: Strengthening Canada’s Trade Corridors through Investment in Eastern Ontario Ports On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) – representing 103 municipalities across eastern Ontario – and our regional partners, we commend the federal government’s commitment to strengthening Canada’s domestic supply chains while positioning...

Sep 29, 2025

EOWC Recommendations for Build Canada Homes Implementation

Dear Minister Roberston and Ms. Bailão, On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) – representing 103 municipalities across eastern Ontario – we commend the Government of Canada for launching Build Canada Homes (BCH) to catalyse an entirely new housing industry. The EOWC and our member municipalities stand...

Aug 21, 2025

The EOWC Champions Regional Priorities and Partnerships at AMO 2025

Ottawa, ON – The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) - representing 103 rural and small urban municipalities - participated in the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, held in the City of Ottawa, championing regional municipal priorities. As municipal infrastructure is a top priority of the EOWC, the...

Jul 24, 2025

Enhancing the Ethical Framework for Municipal Elected Officials

Introduction The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) is a non-profit organization advocating for 103 small urban and rural municipalities across eastern Ontario. The EOWC covers an area of 50,000 square kilometres, serving 1,100,000 residents. For more than 20 years, the EOWC has gained support and momentum by speaking with...

Jul 15, 2025

EOWC Concerns and Recommendations Regarding the OPP Billing Model and its Impacts on Municipal Governments

July 15, 2025 Dear Minister Kerzner, On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), I am writing to raise serious and ongoing concerns related to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) billing model for 2026 and beyond, and its broader impacts on municipal budgets, service delivery, and community safety and well-being. The current...

Jun 03, 2025

EOWC Support for Harmonizing Construction Standards and Best Practices across Ontario

RE: EOWC Support for Harmonizing Construction Standards and Best Practices across Ontario Dear Minister Sarkaria, On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), representing 103 municipalities across Eastern Ontario, we are writing to express our support for the Ontario Road Builders’ Association’s (ORBA) call to harmonize construction design...

May 15, 2025

The EOWC Meets with Premier Ford, Ministers and MPPs on Eastern Ontario’s Economic Resilience

Ontario – The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) represents 103 municipalities throughout Eastern Ontario. On May 13, the EOWC held a historic Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park, successfully uniting municipal leaders with Premier Doug Ford, Cabinet Ministers, and Members of Provincial Parliament in order to advance shared priorities. The...

Mar 08, 2025

Ontario’s Municipal Leadership Shines on International Women’s Day

Ontario’s Major Municipal Organizations Led by Women Ontario – As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it is a historic moment for municipal leadership in Ontario. For the first time, all major municipal associations in the province are chaired by women, demonstrating the strength, dedication, and leadership of women...

Mar 04, 2025

Eastern Ontario Municipal Leaders Condemn United States Government Tariffs

March 4, 2025 Eastern Ontario’s municipal leaders condemn the United States government’s decision to impose trade tariffs on Canadian products that were implemented today. These measures will have immediate consequences for businesses, workers, consumers, and people in both the United States and Canada. As stated today by the Prime...

Feb 19, 2025

EOWC Concerns Re Alto High Speed Rail Cutting Through Eastern Ontario

Re: Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Concerns Re: Alto High Speed Rail Network Project Cutting Through Eastern Ontario Dear Martin Imbleau, President and CEO, Alto: On behalf of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus (EOWC) and our 103 member municipalities, we are writing to raise our concerns on the Prime Minister’s...

Feb 18, 2025

Ready to Work, Ready to Grow: Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Ontario Election Priorities

February 18, 2025, Eastern Ontario As the united voice for Eastern Ontario’s small-urban and rural municipalities, the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) has set clear priorities for the upcoming Ontario election. On behalf of nearly one quarter of Ontario’s 444 municipalities, the EOWC has outlined four priorities and 13...