Lobbying Information
Subject Matters
- Energy
- Environment
- Housing
- Immigration
- Infrastructure
- Municipalities
Subject Matter Details
Grant, Contribution or Other Financial Benefit
- The Federal Gas Tax program for 443 Ontario municipal governments is administered by AMO by way of agreement. Of the $590,294,360 program, $2,943,184 supports the allocation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation requirements of the agreement. Federal government's annual contribution amount is transferred by AMO to municipalities based on population and the accountability and transparency and administrative requirements as contained in the related Agreement which is posted on both the federal and AMO websites. AMO has a small team of staff that manage the program on a daily basis and is in contact with IC staff on a regular basis on the matters set out in the Agreement, as well as reporting requirements. AMO senior staff sit on a joint oversight committee and the committee’s mandate is set out in the Agreement. The government has committed to making this a permanent source of funding beyond 2014.
Policies or Program
- AMO on behalf of its membership, monitored and advocated for flexibility in the various infrastructure grant programs such as Building Canada Fund and its Stimulus Fund component as related to deadlines for those projects funded by those programs that ran into delays because of site or supply problems.
- AMO participates in Canada-Ontario-Municipal Immigration Committee that explores and develops frameworks for addressing issues and pursuing opportunities that support welcoming communities. AMO is interested in a new Immigration Agreement between Ontario and Federal government as municipal gov'ts and its community organizations (such as libraries) provide community development and human services to support immigrants.
- Advocating development of a national affordable housing strategy with associated funding program to deal with housing gaps; Ontario is negotiating next 2 years of the F-P Housing Program, of which AMO has a policy and program interest as municipalities deliver housing services in Ontario.
- Federal Long Term Infrastructure Plan input and advocacy
Communication Techniques
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Written communication
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Oral communication
Government Institutions
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Citizenship and Immigration Canada
-
Environment Canada
-
House of Commons
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Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
-
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
In-house Organization Details
Description of the organization's activities
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario AMO) has represented Ontario municipal governments’ interests to provincial and when necessary, the federal government since 1899. AMO promotes collaboration between all orders of government on shared interests and facilitating partnerships wherever possible to effect those shared interests. Interaction with the federal government falls into three areas: a) advocacy work related to federal statutes and programs that are needed or impede municipal government services; b) program design and in some instances program implementation on the federal government’s behalf, and c) information sharing and municipal government capacity building, which can include co-sponsoring conferences and workshops and the involvement of federal official in AMO education and outreach events. Specific federal program work includes 1) the Canada-AMO- Province of Ontario-Toronto Gas Tax Agreement which authorizes AMO to deliver the federal gas tax program to 443 Ontario municipal governments and 2) the Municipal Immigration Committee is a forum for representatives of Canada, Ontario and AMO with municipal representatives from across Ontario to explore immigration-related municipal interests and 3) relationship with Natural Resources Canada to deliver energy conservation workshops through LAS.
AMO develops policy positions and may endorse other association’s positions, which form the basis of its advocacy. AMO may also appear before federal committees when deemed appropriate and makes submissions as input to federal budget preparation. AMO has from time to time been called by the Committees to appear to present the Ontario municipal government perspective.
The President of the Association is required by its Bylaw to be a municipal elected official. Spokesperson of the Association is either the president or the executive director unless otherwise assigned by them. While there are a number of municipal staff associations AMO is the exclusive group representing municipal council governments in Ontario. The Province of Ontario, by legislation, is required to consult on matters that may impact municipal government. It is implemented by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU has an agreed to annex that sets out the protocol that requires the province to consult and involve AMO when the federal government has a matter that will impact municipal government. How the protocol is effected varies with the approach taken by specific federal department and the nature of the policy matter.
Responsible officer name and position during the period of this registration
Patricia Vanini,
Executive Director
Organization's membership or classes of membership
Municipal government are members and membership is voluntary. All municipal governments in Ontario are eligible to be members. Also:
Affiliate Members
Associations or other organizations representing municipal staff groups may join the association as Affiliate members.
Associate Members
Other associations or organizations whose purpose and interests are complementary to that of AMO may become Associate members.
District Members
Municipal district associations whose purpose and interests are complementary to that of AMO may become District members.
Partner Members
Companies who would like to receive communications regarding municipal issues and deliver information to senior municipal contacts to assist in finding sales leads will benefit from a Partner membership. There are two types of Partner memberships: i) Commercial/ Government Organizations; ii) Not-for-Profit.
Government funding
End date of the last completed financial year:
2012-12-31
List of Government Funding
|
Government Institution
|
Funding Received in Last Financial Year
|
Funding Expected in Current Financial Year
|
|
Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
|
$590,293,360.00
|
Yes
|
In-house Organization Contact Information
Address:
200 University Ave., Ste 801
Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Canada
Telephone number:
416-971-9856
Fax number:
416-971-6191
Lobbyists Details
Employees who lobby for the organization
- Cathie Brown,
Senior Advisor |
No public offices held
- Judy Dezell,
Manager, Federal Gas Tax Implementation |
No public offices held
- Jason Hagan,
Program Coordinator |
No public offices held
- Michael Jacek,
Senior Policy Advisor |
No public offices held
- Nancy Plumridge,
Director of Administration and Business Development |
No public offices held
- Craig Reid,
Senior Policy Advisor |
No public offices held
- Monika Turner,
Director of Policy |
No public offices held
- Patricia Vanini,
Executive Director |
No public offices held
- Scott Vokey,
Energy Services Coordinator |
No public offices held
- Matthew Wilson,
Senior Policy Advisor |
No public offices held
