This week, Mayor Joe Preston, Councillors Gary Clarke and Joan Rymal, and City Manager Lisa Higgs joined thousands of participants from hundreds of Ontario municipalities and organizations at the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa.
As the most comprehensive educational forum for municipal governments, the annual AMO Conference brings together municipal leaders, provincial officials and stakeholders from across Ontario for learning, networking and advocacy. The 2026 conference featured sessions, workshops and delegation meetings focused on policy, funding and local governance, providing an opportunity for the City of St. Thomas to work directly with the Ontario government on priorities important to the community.
“AMO provides an important opportunity each year for us to bring St. Thomas’ priorities directly to provincial decision-makers and advocate for the investments and partnerships our community needs to continue growing,” said Mayor Joe Preston. “This year, our seven delegations allowed us to make the case for St. Thomas while also demonstrating that we are ready to work collaboratively with the Province to find solutions that benefit our residents and strengthen our community for the future. As this is my final AMO Conference as Mayor, I am particularly proud of the work our Council and City team have done over the years to ensure St. Thomas has a strong and consistent voice at the provincial table.”
As part of the conference, the City of St. Thomas delegation attended meetings with a diverse range of provincial ministries and organizations.
This year, the City of St. Thomas met with:
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Ministry of Health
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Ministry of Transportation
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Ministry of Finance
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Ministry of Long-Term Care
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Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
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Ministry of Education
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Ontario Medical Association leadership
The City delegation used its time at the conference to meet with provincial ministers and officials on a range of priorities important to the community. These included funding and support for the Dalewood Water Reclamation Facility, the transfer of Highbury Avenue to provincial ownership, expanded long-term care and adult day programming, funding for childcare and early years services, property tax assessment reform, health care recruitment and infrastructure, and housing and homelessness initiatives.
The Ministry of Transportation delegation was a joint meeting with the City of London and Elgin County, providing an opportunity for the municipalities to collaborate on shared transportation priorities, including the transfer of Highbury Avenue to provincial ownership.
The Ministry of Finance delegation was also a regional collaboration, with the City joined by Oxford County and the Town of Ingersoll to advocate for property tax assessment reform and discuss issues affecting municipalities and industrial investment.
“These meetings are an important part of how we advance Council’s strategic priorities and build relationships with our provincial partners,” said City Manager Lisa Higgs. “The City’s advocacy work is focused on finding opportunities to collaborate with the Province and regional partners on solutions that support our community’s continued growth, while ensuring we have the infrastructure, services and investments needed to support our residents.”
To highlight this advocacy work, the City’s Advocacy Plan showcases the ongoing priorities and directions of Council as they relate to working with the Provincial government to realize the City’s strategic plan goals of a brighter future.
To view the City’s Advocacy Plan, click here