On Sunday afternoon, Mayor Boddy and Councillors Todd, Koepke, and Thomas met with Ms. Daiene Vernile, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation. The topic of their meeting was the enhancement of Highway #6 from Owen Sound to Guelph, to improve business and tourism opportunities, and driver safety.

Tourism in Grey County is increasing and to maintain and promote this for visitors and tourism operators, continued highway upgrades are vital. The efficient and effective movement of goods and people on Highway #6 is a vital contributor to the Grey County/Owen Sound economy. A provincial commitment to continued enhancements along the entire Highway #6 corridor would be a benefit for all communities linked on that route.

For 117 years, Ontario's largest municipal conference has brought together municipal, provincial and federal officials to work collectively to overcome municipal challenges and plan for the future. Ontario's Premier, Minister of Municipal Affairs and both opposition leaders are featured speakers and several additional provincial ministers will participate in the conference.

The annual conference is a chance for municipal officials to discuss and move forward on shared challenges, to learn and to create new opportunities that can benefit their communities. In addition to the conference program, municipal staff and officials will take part in over 500 municipal delegation meetings with provincial and federal ministries.

On Monday morning, Mayor Boddy, Deputy Mayor Wright, and Councillors O'Leary and Koepke were joined by MPP Bill Walker to meet with Mr. Peter Milczyn, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour. The topic of their meeting was the challenges associated with the Interest Arbitration Process and the escalating costs in providing emergency services.

The City of Owen Sound is requesting that changes be made to the current arbitration system. While our Police Officers and Firefighters are valued municipal workers who ensure the health and safety of our residents, the current collective bargaining model is broken. While ratepayers and other municipal employees deal with the current economic climate, arbitrators continue to award wage and benefit increases to Emergency Services employees that are not in line. A more objective arbitration process is required.

The 2016 AMO Conference is being held in Windsor from August 14 to 17. Inquiries can be directed to Mayor Ian Boddy at: 519-373-4144.

source: media release, City of Owen Sound