By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland County has shared a press release on the May 29 virtual meeting of the Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus to discuss reframing the group's priorities in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The move was taken in order to represent both the current and anticipated environment municipalities and local businesses face, Chair Andy Letham said in the press release.
“During these unprecedented and challenging times, the EOWC remains committed to ensuring that rural eastern Ontario’s needs are met and will continue to work collaboratively with Provincial and Federal Governments on recovery efforts,” Letham stated.
Long-Term Care
This will continue to be a key area of focus, with the pandemic having shed light on this sector and the need to address certain long-standing systemic issues. EOWC member municipalities are committed to working alongside the province during its review of Ontario's long-term-care system. In order to be proactive and better positioned to inform provincial discussions, the EOWC will complete a comprehensive current-state analysis of the municipally operated long-term-care sector.
Cellular Network and Broadband Advocacy
The EOWC will continue to support the Eastern Ontario Regional Network Cellular Network Improvement Project and Broadband Gap Strategy. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades in order to expand and improve rural broadband connectivity in rural eastern Ontario. In 2019, only 63% of the region’s households and businesses were found to have access to 50/10 Mbps standards. The EOWC strongly supports continued funding and collaboration among all levels of government and the private sector to reach required standards and to support pandemic recovery in rural and remote areas.
Economic Recovery
The EOWC has a critical role to play in the region’s economic recovery, and will continue to work closely with its partners in the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council. The impacts of COVID-19 have been significant, and both bodies are committed to helping stimulate the local economy and to supporting municipalities and small businesses.
Municipal Recovery
The EOWC has also adopted municipal recovery as an additional key priority for 2020. Municipalities require financial assistance and funding certainty in order to rebuild and to continue serving their communities. The EOWC will hold discussions with its partners in the Federal and provincial governments to highlight areas where its member municipalities require assistance.
