Virtual meetings with Ontario ministers could save money for rural municipalities

South Glengarry Deputy Mayor Lyle Warden. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston, File)

LANCASTER – With many municipalities using Zoom and other teleconferencing software, South Glengarry’s deputy mayor is hoping to seize on the opportunity to save taxpayers money.

Lyle Warden asked his fellow councillors to support a resolution from Township of Greater Madawaska’s council resolution to ask for electronic delegations from small and rural municipalities with Ontario cabinet ministers.

“I think this new age that we’re living in, I’m hoping there will be enough support provincially to allow this to happen as it’s quite costly to take an entourage to Toronto to meet the ministers,” Warden told council Monday night.

“I’m assuming you’ve seen in the news about AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) proceeding in a virtual manner and that they will probably all be having virtual delegations this time around. Hopefully, this will be one of those situations where we push to do something new and there are long term benefits for everyone,” Coun. Stephanie Jaworski added in supporting the motion.

The resolution speaks to the provincial government’s request to be respect of taxpayers’ money.

The AMO virtual conference will happen Aug. 17-19.

South Glengarry’s letter of support will be sent to Ontario’s 444 municipalities, MPP Jim McDonell, MPP Steve Clark and MP Eric Duncan.