Guelph, Ont., August 19, 2026 – City leaders met with representatives from the provincial government at the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference to advocate for priorities that support a strong, inclusive and connected Guelph.
Over the three-day conference, the City focused its advocacy on practical solutions to support critical infrastructure, strengthen community healthcare initiatives and advance strategic investment in the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance alongside the University of Guelph.
“AMO gives us an important opportunity to bring Guelph’s priorities directly to provincial partners and decision-makers,” said Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph. “Every conversation focused on practical outcomes for our community, from seeking expanded support for the Dedicated Offload Nurse Program at Guelph General Hospital to advocating for additional and sustainable funding for the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program and more. This work is about keeping Guelph healthy, affordable and well-positioned for the future.”
Priorities brought forward by the City at AMO included:
- Calling for continued and expanded support for the Dedicated Offload Nurse Program at Guelph General Hospital and sustainable funding for the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program, both of which help reduce pressure on emergency services and support seniors and vulnerable residents.
- Calling for clearer provincial guidance on consultation requirements and capacity funding requests to strengthen municipal-Indigenous relations and ensure that First Nations and municipalities have the tools and resources needed to participate meaningfully in consultation processes.
- The City and University of Guelph jointly called for renewed and increased investment in the five-year Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a strategic partnership that supports research, innovation and economic growth across Ontario’s agri-food sector.
“While the issues we discussed at AMO span healthcare, Indigenous relations, housing enabling infrastructure and economic development, they all point to the same goal: building a thriving and sustainable future for our community,” said Tara Baker, chief administrative officer, City of Guelph. “Building a thriving community requires strong partnerships and strategic investments. Our focus at AMO is ensuring Guelph has the relationships and the resources to respond to the evolving needs of our community.”
The City thanks its provincial counterparts for the productive conversations and looks forward to continuing to work together in the coming months to turn these discussions into actions that supports Guelph’s long-term growth.
To learn more about the City’s 2026 advocacy priorities at AMO, visit guelph.ca
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