Municipal leaders gather to explore solutions at 2025 OSUM Conference amid economic and political uncertainty

COLLINGWOOD, ON, April 23, 2025 – Participants from Ontario’s counties, small cities and towns will attend the 2025 Ontario Small Urban Municipal (OSUM) Conference hosted by the Town of Collingwood from April 30 to May 2, 2025, at the Georgian Bay Hotel, 10 Vacation Inn Drive.

“The OSUM Conference brings us together at an important time. Since January 2025, tariff threats have disrupted global and local economies. It’s created new municipal challenges and deepened existing ones,” said OSUM Chair Jamie McGarvey. “We look forward to hearing from the new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Rob Flack, and other parties, about our local priorities.”

OSUM represents counties, small cities and towns that are vital links between rural and urban Ontario. These hub communities strive to deliver city-style services, preserve small-town appeal, and protect natural heritage. Through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, OSUM draws attention to the shared challenges and opportunities faced in these varied communities, which have both urban and rural qualities.

Keynote speakers will address the impact of tariffs on Ontario’s municipal government and how to foster healthy local democracies. Other sessions will focus on sharing innovative solutions and insights into key priorities for Ontario’s small urban communities. These include AMO’s groundbreaking homelessness study, water and wastewater infrastructure, affordable housing, and cyber-risk.

Presenters include:

• The Hon. Rob Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
• MPP Jeff Burch, Ontario New Democratic Party
• MPP Stephen Blais, Ontario Liberal Party
• Mike Schreiner, Leader, Green Party of Ontario
• Jamie McGarvey, Chair, OSUM
• Robin Jones, Chair, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
• James Carpenter, Grey Cloud-Indigenous Traditional Healer and Oshkabewis (Helper)
• Tony Stillo, Director of Canada Economics at Oxford Economics
• Jordan Simmons, Co-Founder/CEO, Nominee
• Dan Mathieson, Special Advisor, Cybersecurity and Municipal Engagement at Toronto Metropolitan University, former mayor of the City of Stratford

Media are asked to visit the registration desk onsite, or email tayabali@redbrick.ca to register in  advance. Attending media are encouraged to book accommodations as soon as possible.

For More Information Contact: Farah Tayabali, OSUM Media Contact, 416-570-8413, tayabali@redbrick.ca

NT4