BRANTFORD, ON — A high-profile delegation from the City of Brantford will join more than 2,000 municipal leaders, provincial representatives and industry experts in Ottawa next week for the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, an annual policy and networking event that is expected to focus heavily on housing, infrastructure, and economic resilience.
The four-day gathering, taking place from August 17 to 20, comes at a time when Ontario municipalities are navigating a challenging economic landscape, compounded by the ongoing trade and tariff dispute with the United States. Conference organizers say this year’s agenda will tackle both immediate fiscal pressures and longer-term planning needs.
“The Ontario Government and municipalities must work together to protect and strengthen our social and economic prosperity,” the AMO stated in a release, emphasizing that “municipal services and infrastructure underpin Ontario’s competitiveness and must be on strong financial footing.”
Broad agenda and high-profile speakers
The 2025 AMO Conference will feature more than 60 speakers, panels, and workshops covering a wide range of municipal priorities. Scheduled speakers include Ontario Premier Doug Ford, cabinet ministers, opposition leaders, and AMO President Robin Jones. The program will also include the launch of AMO’s first Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan.
Key session topics range from affordable housing, homelessness, and infrastructure renewal to property reassessment and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Economic experts are slated to address the impacts of tariffs and the broader trade dispute on Ontario communities, while offering perspectives on future growth opportunities.
Brantford delegation’s priorities
Brantford’s contingent will be led by Mayor Kevin Davis, joined by Deputy Mayor of External Relations and City Councillor Rose Sicoli, City Councillor Mandy Samwell, Fire Chief Todd Binkley, and Manager of Government Relations & Corporate Initiatives Sasha Hill Smith.
The group will participate in plenary sessions and targeted meetings with provincial ministers and senior staff to advocate for the city’s top priorities. Chief among these will be pressing the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for support in boosting housing supply and addressing homelessness. The delegation will also meet with the Ministry of Transportation to advance Brantford’s Transit Plan, including potential links to GO Transit and other regional transportation networks.
Beyond these direct discussions, Brantford officials will attend sessions with the Ontario Big City Mayors (OBCM) and the Mayors and Regional Chairs of Ontario (MARCO) caucuses, broadening the city’s influence on province-wide policy. Meetings are also planned with the Ministries of Infrastructure; Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Environment, Conservation and Parks; Children, Community and Social Services; Indigenous Affairs; Health; and Sport.
Strategic networking and policy influence
The AMO Conference is widely regarded as a crucial opportunity for municipal leaders to align with provincial decision-makers on policy and funding priorities. Hundreds of delegation meetings between municipalities and ministries are expected to take place alongside the official program, allowing for in-depth discussions on issues such as infrastructure investment, climate adaptation, and community development.
“The annual conference is an opportunity for municipal officials to work together on solutions to today’s big challenges, to learn, and to create new opportunities that benefit our communities,” organizers said.
For Brantford, the timing is significant. With housing affordability and transit connectivity dominating local and provincial agendas, city officials see the event as a chance to secure commitments that could shape the city’s growth over the coming years.
Media and public access
Journalists covering the conference must register onsite in Room 201 at the Rogers Centre Ottawa. AMO is encouraging media representatives to arrange accommodations early due to high attendance. Program information and updates are available at www.amo.on.ca, with live coverage on Twitter via @AMOPolicy and the hashtag #AMO2025.
For more information, local media can contact Maria Visocchi, Director of Communications, Community Engagement and Customer Service for the City of Brantford, at 519-759-4150 ext. 5754 or [email protected]. AMO media inquiries can be directed to Brian Lambie at 416-729-5425 or [email protected].
As Ontario municipalities gather in Ottawa, Brantford’s delegation aims to ensure the city’s voice is heard on the pressing issues of housing, economic development, and infrastructure — priorities that will define not just the city’s immediate future, but its long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving economic climate.