Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus
Welcome
The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) is an advocacy, research and public education association whose members are political leaders in local government from across western Ontario. The WOWC monitors federal, provincial and municipal legislative, regulatory and program initiatives and conducts research and analysis for purposes of influencing and advocating efficient and effective municipal service delivery in Western Ontario. The group works collectively through meaningful communication and representation with the federal and provincial governments, and each other. The WOWC endeavors to meet bi-monthly throughout each calendar year, working to co-ordinate meetings in conjunction with major municipal conferences such as ROMA/OGRA and AMO. The Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus membership is comprised of Wardens' and/or Mayors of the following Counties and Single Tier Municipalities: At the first meeting of the Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus, in each calendar year, the WOWC elects a Chair and Vice Chair from amongst the membership. At that meeting the group also determines and confirms its key strategic priorities. The WOWC collaborates proactively through: In support of the research and report preparation necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the WOWC, the Chief Administrative Officers and other key subject matter expert staff from each of the member municipalities meet regularly. The WOWC’s key strategic priorities for 2011 include: Economic Development – Southwest Ontario has not required the assistance and attention of senior government to jump start our economy for a long time but the recent economic downturn has changed that. The WOWC recognizes the need for and importance of working with senior levels of government and supporting many other organzations in the creation of an economic recovery plan that will return Western Ontario to prosperity. LHINs – The WOWC is concerned with the wide scope of responsibility and the potential impact decisions made by the LHINS have on each of our communities. Decisions by the LHINs have a major impact on the quality of life for our rural residents and we are very concerned with possible closures of rural hospitals and emergency departments. In addition, changes to Ontario’s Physician Recruitment and Retention programs may also harm health care delivery in our Southwest Ontario municipalities. OMPF – Working to have the Provincial government re-open talks on the current Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund so that municipalities who are greatly disadvantaged through the application of the present formula can hope to seek relief through modifications of the current formula.