Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Mayor Aina DeViet is reflecting on the recent Association of Municipalities of Ontario meeting, calling it a success. “We’re giving the government input on proposed legislation,” says DeViet. “AMO is being heard. We are having an impact,” adds the mayor.
The 2025 AMO meeting was held in Ottawa in August, and brought together political and municipal leaders from across the province to discuss a wide spectrum of issues. A key discussion for Middlesex Centre focused on economic development, with the delegation meeting with MPP Ric Bresee, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation. The topic at hand was improved access along Highway 402 to pave the way for companies to move into the area.
“There are no promises made,” says DeViet of the meetings with provincial leaders, however the mayor says it’s “ticking the boxes” as far as making municipal concerns known, notably in the area of infrastructure and the funding implications.
“AMO is estimating 250 billion to 290 in capital investments in next 10 years. Half of that is related to growth. This is a lot and we need to be investing in the future,” says DeViet.
Not surprisingly, tariffs emerged as a big area of concern among the municipalities. DeViet says one item of interest on that score was a presentation that injected an optimistic note with the example of a company that makes ambulances in Canada, rather than relying on the vehicles coming from the United States.
The AMO conference brings together a diversity of municipalities, both large and small. And DeViet says it’s a way to make the province more aware of the needs outside the large cities. “We want to make sure we’re advocating for our residents and getting our share of the funds,” says DeViet.
