Burlington Mayor Meed Ward Acclaimed to the Large Urban Caucus of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario

*Please see below a media release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — Aug. 4, 2020 — The City of Burlington is pleased to announce that Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has been acclaimed to the Large Urban Caucus of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board.While elections often take place, this year Mayor Meed Ward was acclaimed along with four other eligible candidates to the five available positions in this caucus. As a Board member, Mayor Meed Ward will have the opportunity to bring Burlington’s voice to the table and contribute to AMO’s overall vision and commitment to advance common interests for the good of all Ontario municipalities.

"Having the Mayor on the Board is great for Burlington, as well as the other large urban municipalities in AMO. Mayor Meed Ward will bring forward and advocate for our Council’s Vision to Focus and the city’s priorities, which are similar to larger municipalities. We’re moving in the right direction on our priorities and this is another avenue to help us achieve our goals and ensure Burlington remains one of the best cities to live in Canada." -- Tim Commisso, City Manager, City of Burlington

In order to be considered for the Board of AMO, applicants must be an elected official of a member municipality or an employee of a member municipality and submit a resolution of support from their city council. Mayor Meed Ward obtained this support from Burlington’s City Council in June of this year.AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario’s 444 municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario and Canada’s political system. Through their advocacy, AMO ensures that the needs of Ontario’s diverse communities are reflected in provincial policies and programs.The Board of Directors is AMO’s governing body; it sets AMO’s direction and adopts its policies and its priorities. As a corporate body, the Board of Directors ensures adherence to legal requirements, as set out in the foundation charter and in the law. Board terms are two-years.The Large Urban Caucus of AMO consists of many similarly-sized municipalities including Burlington, Guelph, St. Catharines, London, Kingston and Brantford.MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:I am thrilled to join the Board of the Large Urban Caucus of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario this year and serve as a representative for the City of Burlington with the support of City Council. I believe the voices of Ontario's municipalities are strongest when we are united and I’ve seen the impact we have when we come together on behalf of our communities. Ontario's large urban cities and towns share many common issues including transit, affordable housing, land use planning, the environment, creating inclusive communities free of racism, and supporting our healthcare providers and local businesses through the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to advocate for the issues that matter to our constituents and to all municipalities across the province.--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist