Renfrew County’s Peter Emon joins AMO Rural Caucus

Following the conclusion of this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) annual conference held in Ottawa, it was announced that Peter Emon was named to AMO’s rural caucus.

Emon represents the Town of Renfrew at the County of Renfrew. The appointment is a two-year term as the representative of the 17-member Renfrew County government.

Emon explained the appointment presents an opportunity for Renfrew County to gain access to provincial funding programs.

“As a member of the Rural Caucus it does allow for the county to be in direct contact with representatives who administer various programs with potential of benefitting the residents,” he said. “Another benefit is support from provincial ministries and fellow municipalities for services like the Virtual Triage and Community Paramedicine. Both services have proven to be critical for our residents.

He said rural municipalities need to have representation with the province so they aren't left behind. 

“Our needs are different; as challenging and as pressing as our urban neighbours,” he said. “My participation at AMO and Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) ensures Renfrew County’s needs are discussed and recognized so resources can be identified to assist in making our community viable and a great place to live, raise a family or start a business.”

The appointment to the rural caucus automatically places him to the board of directors on ROMA, the rural arm of AMO. The association is an integral part of AMO and a number of its executive members serve on the AMO board of directors.

Their main role is the development of policy, research and advocacy activities which affect rural communities and they are brought to the attention of the provincial and federal governments

Being present at both AMO and ROMA meetings means gaining a greater chance to promote Renfrew County’s innovations to the rest of the province. Once other municipalities catch on, the province becomes more likely to take note and fund the services accordingly.

Emon said some of the areas that ROMA lobbies to the upper levels of government include Infrastructure investment, affordable rural drinking water systems, ambulatory services, broadband and others.

Emon was recently acclaimed as the reeve of the Town of Renfrew and will be the town’s representative at Renfrew Council.  Emon also served as warden of Renfrew County for four consecutive terms.