Warden George Cornell of the County of Simcoe has been re-elected by acclamation as Chair of the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC), during the organization’s Annual General Meeting held virtually on February 11, 2022.

Also appointed at the AGM as WOWC officers were Warden Glen McNeil of the County of Huron to the office of Vice-Chair; Mark Aitken, CAO of Simcoe County as Secretary; and Sonya Pritchard, CAO of Dufferin County as Treasurer.

“I am honoured to have again been placed in the position of Chair, to represent Southwestern Ontario, and I look forward to continue advancing the objectives and advocacy of the WOWC,” stated Chair Cornell. “As was the case this past year, the coming year will be a critical one for the WOWC in terms of advancing its priorities and implementing its projects, particularly the post-pandemic rebuilding of the region with the assistance of our now-released Western Ontario Workforce Strategy.”

Priorities for the WOWC over the coming months include:

• the implementation of the Western Ontario Workforce Strategy;
• municipal representation in Ontario Health Teams governance;
• continued provincial broadband infrastructure investment, and;
• affordable and attainable housing in rural areas.

“The WOWC has continued to advocate strongly for its priorities, most recently during a series of delegations with various Provincial Ministers at the ROMA 2022 Conference,” added Chair Cornell. “The challenges around workforce and housing have never been more apparent than in the last two years, and we all need to work together. This excellent cooperation among all levels of government will only continue to foster the future success of Southwestern Ontario.”

Prior to his appointment as WOWC Chair in 2021, Warden Cornell served on the Caucus in 2019 and 2020, representing the County of Simcoe. As WOWC Chair, Warden Cornell will continue to sit on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board, County Caucus, and will continue to serve as Mayor of Tiny Township, as he has done since 2014, as well as the Vice-Chair of the SWIFT Board of Directors.

In addition, Mayor George Bridge, Minto Township, was re-appointed as Chair of the WOWC Economic Development Sub-Committee. Committee membership will also include the following Wardens and Mayors: George Cornell, Gary McNamara, Alison Warwick, Selwyn Hicks, Wade Mills, Walter McKenzie, and Jim Ginn, and supported by WOWC member CAOs and Economic Development specialist staff.

The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) is a not-for-profit organization representing 15 upper and single-tier municipalities in Southwestern Ontario, representing more than 1.5 million residents. The WOWC aims to enhance the prosperity and overall wellbeing of rural and small urban communities across the region. Caucus members work collectively to influence federal and provincial legislation and programs through advocacy, research, analysis and education. For more information, visit www.wowc.ca.

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Media Contact
Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus
E-Mail: ecdev@wowc.ca