Campbell elected chair of Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus

Posted Feb 2, 2012 By EMC News

EMC News - The Eastern Ontario Wardens' Caucus has elected Mel Campbell, Warden of United Counties of Leeds & Grenville as its new Chair for the coming year. Janet Gutowski of the County of Frontenac was elected as the Vice Chair.

"I am humbled by the support shown to me by my colleagues and will endeavor to move the 2012 EOWC priorities forward," said Campbell. "The successes which the EOWC has enjoyed over the past years can be attributed to the commitment of our wardens to work cohesively resulting in a strong team effort."

"The work being done at the EOWC table is helping to provide opportunities for the future of the region," added Gutowski. "I am very pleased to have received this vote of confidence from my colleagues to serve as Vice Chair and, supporting Chair Campbell, I look forward to the challenges we will face over the next year."

Each year at this time, the EOWC meets in Kingston to elect a new chair and vice chair and to set the key issues that the caucus will promote to both the federal and provincial governments. It is also an opportunity to share these priorities with many of the Eastern Ontario's MPs and MPPs who join the caucus for a morning of discussion.

2012 priorities

According to a press release from the EOWC, this year's focus will be on three main areas:

- Economic Development

- Legislative Change

- Fiscal Issues

The projects within these three main areas include:

Economic Development:

- Continuation and enhancement of the Eastern Ontario Development Fund

- Continuation to build and provide access to the Eastern Ontario Regional Network

- Develop an Eastern Ontario Development Strategy

Legislative/Regulatory Change:

- Support the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in pursuit of legislative change.

- Support changes to the Social Housing Services Corporation procurement policies to allow municipalities to tender for purchased services such as insurance and natural gas.

- Support changes to reduce reporting requirements for services such as long term care and land ambulance.

- Support changes to the medical priority dispatch system to increase efficiency.

Fiscal Issues:

- Support a sustained investment in infrastructure such as a dedicated fund for roads and bridges.

- Protect the property tax base from additional downloaded costs and/or new costs.

- Support changes to the Farm and Managed Forest tax program.

- Support the request for financial support for Crown owned properties, which is unique to Eastern Ontario

For a complete list of the 2012 Priorities, go to www.eowc.org