Grey County leaders are heading to Toronto this weekend to attend the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference, taking place from January 18 to 20. The event is expected to bring together nearly 2,000 municipal officials from across the province to address the most pressing challenges facing rural communities.
Councillors and senior staff from Grey County will participate in the conference program and take part in eight delegation meetings with various provincial ministries. The conference schedule this year includes sessions on topics such as Canada-U.S. trade relations, health and human resources in seniors’ care, and the AMO Healthy Democracy campaign. Delegates will also hear from Premier Doug Ford and members of his cabinet, as well as opposition leaders Marit Stiles of the Ontario NDP, Mike Schreiner of the Ontario Green Party, and Ted Hsu of the Ontario Liberal Party.
“The ROMA Conference is a valuable opportunity for rural municipalities to come together, learn from each other, and explore innovative solutions to the issues that matter most in our communities. The conversations, expertise shared, and insights gained ensure we return home with stronger networks and practical ideas we can put into action for the residents of Grey County,” said Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs.
As part of the plenary program, Warden Matrosovs, who also serves on the Board of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, will take part in a panel titled Leading the Way on Ontario’s Economic Resilience. The session will examine how rural communities can respond to changes in trade and how collaboration across government levels can boost Ontario’s economic potential.
In addition to the main sessions, Grey County representatives will meet with nine provincial ministries, including Municipal Affairs and Housing, Health, Transportation, the Environment, the Attorney General, Long-Term Care, Natural Resources, and Colleges and Universities. Discussion topics will include housing development, changes to Conservation Authorities, provincial offences court security costs, support for Georgian College’s Owen Sound campus, long-term care, and access to healthcare.
The ROMA Conference offers a platform for rural municipal leaders to network, share knowledge, and gain practical ideas to bring back to their communities. Full details about the conference program are available online at www.roma.on.ca.
