North Perth Advocates for Key Rural Priorities at AMO Conference

North Perth, August 19, 2026 – Representatives from the Municipality of North Perth recently participated in a series of meetings with provincial officials during the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, advocating for key priorities that support sustainable growth, infrastructure readiness, and housing development in rural Ontario.

Mayor Todd Kasenberg, CAO Kriss Snell, and Deputy CAO Sandy Little met with provincial representatives from the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Energy and Mines, and Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to discuss issues that are critical to North Perth's future and shared by many growing rural communities across the province.

Ministry of Transportation
Connecting Link Expansion and New Settlement Boundaries

North Perth emphasized the need for a modernized and transparent provincial approach to the creation and expansion of Connecting Link Agreements.

As communities grow and settlement boundaries expand, transportation infrastructure responsibilities must evolve alongside housing growth, economic development, and changing community needs.

Ministry of Energy and Mines
Energy Capacity and Grid Reliability

The Municipality also highlighted the need for increased provincial coordination and investment in energy infrastructure.

Energy capacity is becoming a direct constraint on housing development, business expansion, agricultural operations, and overall rural resilience in North Perth. Municipal leaders stressed that infrastructure planning and investment must keep pace with growth to ensure communities can accommodate new residents, attract investment, and support economic opportunities.

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Equitable Housing Funding for Rural Municipalities

Housing affordability and supply remain a priority for North Perth. Municipal representatives advocated for equitable access to provincial housing-enabling funding programs that recognize the unique realities of fast-growing rural municipalities. Additional provincial funding tools are needed to help rural municipalities move quickly from planning and commitment to construction.

"The annual meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) provides opportunities for municipal elected officials and leadership staff to speak with senior provincial elected officials and their staff about issues that warrant provincial attention. It is a useful forum to exchange notes about issues and position for changes that make municipal governance more effective and responsive. Alongside staff, I had opportunity to press provincial parliamentary assistants on enhancing housing funds for small and rural municipalities like North Perth, discuss energy needs for our still rapidly growing community, discuss revisions to control privileges over sections of Highway 23, and, alongside colleague Gerry Smith of Perth East on behalf of the OPP Police Detachment Board, invite collaboration with the province on improved road closure protocols and signage during wintry conditions. We were respectfully received, and await collaborative work opportunities with relevant provincial Ministries," said Todd Kasenberg, Mayor. 

North Perth remains committed to working with all levels of government to secure investments and policy changes that will benefit residents, businesses, and the broader region.

For more information, please contact:

Kriss Snell, Chief Administrative Officer

Municipality of North Perth

519-292-2040

ksnell@northperth.ca

North Perth Advocates for Key Rural Priorities at AMO Conference - PDF