Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy will join municipal leaders from across Ontario at the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, being held in Ottawa from August 17 to 20.
The annual event brings together thousands of delegates from hundreds of municipalities to address province-wide challenges and advocate for stronger, more resilient communities.
According to the Town of Whitby, Mayor Roy will meet with provincial ministers during the conference to advance key priorities for Whitby and Durham, with a strong focus on infrastructure, healthcare, and municipal funding reform.
One of the top issues on the agenda is the land transfer needed for the construction of a new hospital in Whitby, as well as addressing the significant local costs of servicing the site — costs not covered under current funding programs.
Infrastructure support will also be a priority, with several major projects planned for Whitby, including the new West Whitby Fire Hall, a new centre to support Animal Services and Bylaw, and major electrical infrastructure to accommodate the growth of 18,000 new homes.
Mayor Roy will highlight what the Town describes as an ongoing funding gap between municipalities and the province, calling for a modern funding model that meets the needs of rapidly growing communities. Current reserve funds and property tax revenues are not enough to cover all necessary infrastructure investments, with costs rising faster than municipal revenues.
As chair of the Region of Durham’s Health and Social Services Committee, Mayor Roy will join Regional Chair John Henry in advocating for capital funding for a dedicated mental health emergency room in Durham, as well as continued support for Durham’s Primary Care Outreach Program, which assists people experiencing homelessness.
In addition, as an executive member of Ontario’s Big City Mayors, Mayor Roy will participate in discussions on shared priorities for Ontario’s largest urban centres.
“The AMO Conference is an important opportunity to ensure Whitby’s voice is heard at the provincial level,” Mayor Roy stated. “We are committed to advocating for the issues that matter most to our residents and working in partnership with the province and other municipalities to deliver real, lasting solutions for our growing community.”