Ontario’s Minister of Finance has introduced the 2025 Ontario Budget, A Plan to Protect Ontario. The 2025 Budget was focused on keeping Ontario’s economy and communities strong in the face of economic uncertainty, larger deficits, and lower projected housing starts. “MARCO municipalities strongly support this government’s mission to protect Ontario, and we are happy this […]
April 29 2025 – The Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney and his party on their successful election. “We look forward to working with you to strengthen and protect Canada by building the communities we love,” said MARCO Chair Karen Redman. MARCO also thanks Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh, and
March 19 2025 – The Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) congratulates Premier Doug Ford and the provincial cabinet sworn in today. Special welcome to new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Rob Flack, and special thanks to Minister Paul Calandra for his work on behalf of Ontario’s communities. “Congratulations to Premier Ford and
March 14 2024 – The Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and the new federal Cabinet, including Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Finance François-Philippe Champagne, and Minister for International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc. Canadians are counting on all levels of government to
March 8 2025 Ontario – As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, it is a historic moment for municipal leadership in Ontario. For the first time, all major municipal associations in the province are chaired by women, demonstrating the strength, dedication, and leadership of women in local government. The women at the helm of Ontario’s
MARCO members gathered virtually on February 14 2025 to discuss the impacts of US tariffs, provincial and federal election priorities, and local priorities. The Mayors and Regional Chairs met in the context of looming US tariffs and international trade disruptions with the potential to seriously harm Ontario’s economy, as well as an ongoing provincial election
Ontario’s Blue Box regulation is due to be fully implemented by Jan. 1, 2026. The regulation, which makes producers accountable and financially responsible for their products and packaging, addresses serious issues with the old framework and will mean better economic and environmental outcomes for Ontarians. Meanwhile, some organizations are proposing last-minute changes that could backslide
January 9, 2024 – The Association of Municipalities of Ontario says a new report is believed to be the most accurate picture of provincewide homelessness to date. It says it would require an $11-billion investment over 10 years to help solve the crisis. Karen Redman, who serves as chair of both Waterloo Region and the
January 9 2025 – Karen Redman, Chair of the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO), said the homelessness crisis is taking a devastating toll on people in Ontario communities. “Our municipal staff and first responders are seeing first hand how our current responses are not working. They fail our residents experiencing homelessness, they fail
January 9 2025 – The provincial and federal governments need to step up, said Karen Redman, who serves as chair of both Waterloo Region and the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario. “We’re encouraged that they’ve made a down payment on this issue recognizing that it is not nearly the amount of money that we
