NEWS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 16, 2024, Eastern Ontario – The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC), during its annual inaugural meeting on January 11 and 12, 2024 hosted by the County of Lennox and Addington, Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon was re-elected as Chair and Peterborough County Warden Bonnie Clark was acclaimed as Vice-Chair for the 2024 term.
"I am honoured my colleagues in eastern Ontario have shown their faith in me once again. We will work together to address the issues and champion solutions that impact residents of rural eastern Ontario. I look forward to the year ahead and being around many decision-making tables." – Chair Peter Emon
"In my second year as Vice-Chair, I will continue to bring key issues forward on behalf of rural eastern Ontario municipalities and their residents. I look forward to working together with Chair Emon, our Caucus colleagues and staff, and identifying new priorities for the remainder of 2024." – Vice-Chair Bonnie Clark
At the meeting, the 2023 EOWC members were thanked for their efforts on behalf of residents of eastern Ontario.
EOWC Priorities
For the purposes of good continuity, the EOWC will stay the course with its priorities for the initial months of 2024. This will inform advocacy during EOWC's delegation meetings at the 2024 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference, being held on Sunday, January 21 to Tuesday, January 23, 2024 in the City of Toronto.
The EOWC’s priorities include affordable and attainable housing and the 7 in 7+ Regional Housing Plan, long-term care, and modernizing the construction approval process to support economic development.
Members of the EOWC are looking forward to attending the upcoming ROMA 2024 Conference later this month to build strong relationships with municipal colleagues and the Provincial Government.
The Caucus will re-evaluate its strategic plan and priorities during the priority-setting EOWC meeting to be held in March 2024, as it has done in the past.
About the EOWC
The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) Inc. is an incorporated non-profit organization comprised of the Heads of Council of 13 municipalities (11 upper-tier counties and two single-tier municipalities). The EOWC covers an area of approximately 50,000 square kilometres from Northumberland County to the Québec border. The EOWC supports and advocates on behalf of its 90 local municipalities and 800,000 residents across the region. The EOWC has gained support and momentum by speaking with a united voice to champion regional municipal priorities and work with the government, business leaders, the media, and the public.
Media Contacts:
Elected officials:
Peter Emon, 2024 Chair, EOWC (Warden of Renfrew County)
613-401-7186
info@eowc.org
Bonnie Clark, 2024 Vice-Chair, EOWC (Warden of Peterborough County)
705-927-4207
info@eowc.org
Staff:
Meredith Staveley-Watson, Manager of Government Relations and Policy, EOWC
647-545-8324
meredith.staveley-watson@eowc.org
