More than 2,000 participants from municipalities and organizations across Ontario will converge in the nation’s capital from August 17 to 20 for the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, a key policy forum taking place as communities grapple with the impacts of an escalating trade and tariff dispute with the United States.
The annual conference will bring together municipal leaders, provincial cabinet ministers, opposition leaders, and policy experts to address shared challenges and explore solutions aimed at safeguarding Ontario’s economic and social stability.
Organizers say this year’s discussions will place a strong emphasis on the role of municipal services and infrastructure in maintaining the province’s competitiveness and ensuring a secure financial future.
With more than 60 scheduled speakers, sessions, and workshops, the program reflects the breadth of municipal responsibilities. Topics range from affordable housing and homelessness to infrastructure investment, property reassessment, and the integration of artificial intelligence in local government.
The economic ramifications of the ongoing trade dispute will be a recurring theme, with experts outlining both immediate impacts and long-term opportunities.
AMO will also unveil its first Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, marking a milestone in the organization’s commitment to advancing Indigenous partnerships.
The City of Brantford’s delegation will include Mayor Kevin Davis, Deputy Mayor of External Relations and Councillor Rose Sicoli, Councillor Mandy Samwell, Fire Chief Todd Binkley, and Manager of Government Relations & Corporate Initiatives Sasha Hill Smith. The group will take part in policy sessions, attend meetings with provincial ministers, and press for action on key priorities: increasing housing supply, addressing homelessness, and securing support for Brantford’s Transit Plan, including improved links to GO Transit and other regional networks.
Brantford officials will also participate in the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) and Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) forums, in addition to meetings with ministries overseeing infrastructure, economic development, environment, social services, Indigenous affairs, health, and sport.
Conference organizers expect hundreds of municipal delegation meetings to take place alongside the formal program, underscoring the event’s role as a high-stakes venue for municipal-provincial negotiations.
Media representatives planning to cover the conference must register onsite in Room 201 at the Rogers Centre Ottawa. Additional program details are available at www.amo.on.ca.
