Municipal leaders, provincial ministers, industry partners and community organizations gathered in Guelph on October 16 for the 2026 Western Ontario Municipal Conference (WOMC) to explore some of the most pressing issues facing communities across Western Ontario.
Hosted by the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) at the Delta Guelph Hotel, the conference was held under the theme Growth with Purpose: Investing in People, Places, and Potential, with discussions focused on how municipalities can respond to growing demands for housing, infrastructure, workforce development and essential community services while planning for long-term regional growth.
Provincial participation was a central feature of the conference and its opening reception. The Honourable Rob Flack delivered opening remarks, while the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines, and the Honourable Sam Oosterhoff, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, participated in the Minister’s Panel.
The panel provided an opportunity for ministers to share updates and provincial perspectives on key issues affecting communities across Western Ontario, offering municipal leaders insight into current government priorities and initiatives.
The conference’s opening reception on October 15 also featured remarks from the Honourable Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth Wellington and Associate Minister of Energy-Intensive, and Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph and the Leader of the Green Party of Ontario, providing an opportunity for provincial representatives and municipal leaders to connect ahead of the conference.
“Western Ontario’s municipalities are facing significant pressures, but we also have tremendous opportunities to strengthen our communities and support responsible growth,” said Marcus Ryan, Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus. “The challenges we face, from housing and homelessness to workforce shortages and essential services, cannot be addressed in isolation. Bringing municipal and provincial leaders together helps build a stronger understanding of our regional priorities and reinforces the importance of working collaboratively to address them.”
The conference program featured an opening keynote from the Honourable Bob Rae, eight breakout sessions across four themes, and a closing plenary from leadership speaker Lana Starchuck.
Through presentations, research and examples of initiatives underway across the region, delegates explored practical approaches to issues affecting municipalities of all sizes. Sessions examined rural research, community mental health services, municipal governance, infrastructure development, housing, rural transit, agricultural mental health and workforce challenges.
“The value of this conference goes beyond the presentations. It’s about bringing people together who are facing similar challenges and giving them the opportunity to share what they’ve learned, what has worked and where opportunities exist to do things differently,” said Andrea Matrosovs, Warden of Grey County and Chair of the 2026 Western Ontario Municipal Conference. “Our goal was to deliver a program that reflects the issues municipalities are dealing with today, while providing meaningful insights that delegates can take back to their own communities to help inform local decisions and priorities.”
The conference also featured an exhibitor showcase, with 23 participating organizations sharing services, programs and expertise relevant to municipalities across Western Ontario. WOWC thanks all exhibitors for their participation and contributions to the event.
WOWC gratefully acknowledges the support of the 2026 conference sponsors:
Platinum Sponsors: Enbridge, Bruce Power and Wellington County
Silver Sponsors: CN, Hydro One and the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO)
Bronze Sponsors: Nuclear Innovation Institute, Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), and Jenni Byrne + Associates
WOWC also extends its appreciation to the speakers, moderators, delegates, and organizing committee who contributed to the conference’s success. The conference highlighted the value of sharing knowledge and strengthening relationships among the municipal, provincial and community partners working to support Western Ontario’s future. About
The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) is a not-for-profit organization representing 15 upper and single-tier municipalities in Western Ontario, representing more than 1.6 million residents. The WOWC aims to enhance the prosperity and overall wellbeing of rural and small urban communities across the region. Caucus members work collectively to influence federal and provincial legislation and programs through advocacy, research, analysis and education. For more information, visit www.wowc.ca.
