Statement on Trade and Update on Provincial Election Advocacy

Tariffs, Trade Disruptions and Migration

Ontario's local economies, our natural and human resources as well as the businesses and industries situated in Ontario municipalities are the foundation of Ontario's economy. These elements are fundamental to the national economy and Canada's prosperity.  

On December 9, 2024, AMO wrote to the Prime Minister, Ontario's Premier and leaders of the official federal and provincial opposition pledging the support of AMO and its members to assist Canada and Ontario in the face of challenge and uncertainty. 

Tariffs and international trade disruptions have the potential to seriously harm Ontario’s economy. Other changes in American policy and practices affecting immigration and social policy could create mass migration of American residents seeking the safety and protection afforded by Canada, with massive resource implications for municipalities in Ontario. 

AMO and its members stand ready to play our part in protecting our shared social and economic prosperity in Ontario and Canada. 

AMO’s Provincial Election Campaign

While we collectively turn our eyes toward the real threats we face from outside our borders, AMO and its members must also consider the long-standing challenges we face closer to home. 

With an early election in Ontario now underway, AMO’s efforts to promote the interests of municipalities in the election will enter its second phase with additional print ads in the days ahead and continued social and digital media postings. 

The campaign was launched at the ROMA conference and has garnered considerable notice. The ultimate purpose of the campaign is to ensure that all parties understand that the voice of Ontario’s $68 billion-a-year municipal sector will not be silent in an important debate on Ontario’s future. 

Since the launch of the campaign on January 19, AMO has received considerable positive feedback from members and some expressions of concern. The impartiality of the campaign has been questioned by some members. The media has asked if it is possible to have an impartial campaign when one party has been governing for more than 6 years. 

Through months of planning, the commitment to a non-partisan campaign has been at the forefront of every discussion at the AMO Board. The campaign asks voters to consider the needs of their communities when voting. All parties have the opportunity to compete for their vote by making commitments that help municipalities succeed. 

The challenges faced by communities that are caused by provincial policies are complex and caused by both long-standing, historical arrangements and by recent actions and inactions.   

No party or individual government is to blame for decades of provincial policies that undermine the social and economic prosperity of Ontario’s communities. However, provincial policies that result in declining infrastructure investment, higher property taxes and homelessness in your communities are both bad social policy and bad economic policy. These policies will need to be addressed by whoever forms the next government of Ontario.

AMO is steadfastly non-partisan and looks forward to working with whoever the people elect to form the next Government. These efforts are intended to ensure that whatever party is selected to govern, it will have made clear and measurable commitments to the success of municipalities in every part of Ontario.