Town of Grimsby Advances Key Community Priorities at 2026 AMO Conference

The Town of Grimsby brought a strong advocacy agenda to the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, advancing several key priorities with the Province that impact growth, infrastructure, heritage protection, municipal finances and the delivery of local services.

The annual AMO Conference provides municipalities with an important opportunity to meet directly with provincial ministries and advocate for solutions to challenges affecting their communities.

Mayor Jeff Jordan, Members of Council and senior Town staff represented Grimsby through a series of provincial delegations focused on removing barriers, improving municipal processes and ensuring growing communities have the tools and resources they need to serve residents effectively.

Grimsby’s 2026 advocacy priorities included:

Extending Deadlines for Heritage Property Designation

• Since 2023, the Town has initiated the designation process for 63 properties. Grimsby requested that the Province extend the deadline to January 1, 2030, to provide municipalities with additional time to complete the designation process and maintain protection for listed heritage properties under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Addressing Insurance as a Barrier to Heritage Designation

• Concerns about the availability and affordability of property insurance continue to be raised as a barrier to heritage designation. The Town advocated for continued collaboration between the Province, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and municipalities to help ensure owners of heritage properties can access competitively priced insurance.

Improving Archaeological Requirements

• Niagara Region's Archaeological Management Plan is utilized by the Town to help identify where archaeological assessments may be required as part of the development approval process. Grimsby advocated for continued municipal consultation as the Province considers changes to its Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists and process improvements. Clear and practical provincial requirements are important to help municipalities protect archaeological resources while providing a consistent and predictable development review process.

Advancing the QEW Widening Environmental Assessment

• The Town highlighted the impact existing QEW infrastructure and Environmental Assessment timelines are having on growth and development along Grimsby's QEW corridor. Grimsby advocated for progress on the QEW widening EA to support future transportation capacity, economic development and responsible growth.

Harmonizing Drinking Water Regulations and Building Code Requirements to Advance Housing

• The Town raised concerns about misalignment between Site Plan Control processes, Ontario Building Code requirements and Safe Drinking Water regulations that can create duplication and delay development approvals. Grimsby advocated for better regulatory coordination to protect drinking water while helping keep housing projects moving forward.

Together, these delegations reflect the Town's continued focus on building strong relationships with provincial partners and advocating for practical solutions that support Grimsby's long-term sustainability and quality of life.

As updates or commitments resulting from these discussions become available, the Town will continue to share information with the community.

Quotes

“AMO gives us an important opportunity to bring Grimsby's priorities directly to the Province and have meaningful conversations about the challenges and opportunities facing our community. This year's delegations covered a broad range of issues, and they share a common goal: ensuring Grimsby has the tools, infrastructure and support needed to grow responsibly while protecting what makes our community unique. We will continue to be a strong voice for Grimsby and advocate for solutions that deliver meaningful results for our residents.”

• Jeff Jordan, Mayor, Town of Grimsby

“Many of the issues we brought forward at AMO have a direct impact on how municipalities plan, fund growth and deliver services. Provincial policies need to work effectively at the local level, and these meetings provide an important opportunity to share Grimsby's experience and identify practical solutions. Continued collaboration with the Province is essential to reducing barriers, improving service delivery and ensuring municipalities can respond effectively to the needs of their communities.”

• Sarah Kim, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Grimsby

Media Contact

Christina Davidson

Communications Specialist, Town of Grimsby

cdavidson@grimsby.ca | 365-226-2289