Fort Erie Advances Community Priorities at 2026 AMO Conference

FORT ERIE, ON, August 20, 2026 – Town of Fort Erie representatives attended the 2026 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference in Ottawa, August 16 – 19, meeting with provincial ministers and parliamentary assistants to advocate for priorities affecting residents, businesses and Fort Erie’s future growth.

Town representatives used the annual conference to advance several key issues, including infrastructure investment, economic development, emergency services, tourism, shoreline resiliency, archaeological processes, health care and workforce development.

“AMO gives us an important opportunity to bring Fort Erie’s priorities directly to provincial decision-makers. These meetings allow us to advocate for the services, infrastructure, jobs and investments our residents need while building stronger relationships with the province. This year’s meetings were particularly productive.”

– Mayor Wayne Redekop

Jobs, training and economic growth

The Town met with the Minister of Labour to advocate for expanded post-secondary training opportunities that support Fort Erie’s growing aerospace, industrial and health care sectors.

There was strong interest in supporting Fort Erie’s aerospace partners, Airbus and De Havilland, through government aircraft procurement, including Airbus helicopters and De Havilland waterbombers, as well as supporting their continued expansion and growth in Fort Erie.

The Town emphasized that several manufacturers are hiring and planning to expand operations. These provide good-paying jobs and further economic spinoffs. The discussion also connected workforce development with the Town’s Reimagining Douglas Memorial initiative.

The Minister identified potential funding programs and connected Town staff with senior ministry officials to continue discussions.

The Town also met with the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Agriculture to advocate for an emerging local business producing pharmaceutical-grade cannabis for domestic and international markets and to discuss opportunities for an agri-food trade partnership with Italy.

Tourism and the Fort Erie Race Track

During a meeting with the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, the Town advocated for the “Destination Niagara” tourism strategy to truly represent the entire Niagara region, including Fort Erie’s significant historic, cultural and recreational attractions.

The Town also requested sustainable provincial support for the Fort Erie Race Track and consideration of the return of slot machines, given changes to Niagara’s gaming landscape.

Other priorities included support for enhancements and expansion of the Niagara Parks marina, refinement of the width of the Niagara-GTA Corridor running through Stevensville, and, under the right circumstances, the possibility of a new tourist exhibit of historic artifacts uncovered through archaeological work in Fort Erie.

Infrastructure and community investment

The Town met with the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Infrastructure to discuss Fort Erie’s ongoing infrastructure renewal program and initiatives supporting housing and community growth.

Discussions highlighted efforts to move development projects forward, the Reimagining Douglas Memorial initiative and the Town’s work to align local policies with provincial objectives.

Supporting Fort Erie Fire Department water rescue

During a meeting with the Solicitor General, the Town advocated for funding to replace watercraft used by the Fort Erie Fire Department for rescue operations on Lake Erie and the Niagara River.

The Solicitor General suggested a collaborative approach to continuing the service and indicated that he would support our efforts in that regard. He also suggested several funding programs that could assist with fire department equipment needs and assigned a staff member to look into those opportunities.

Building a more resilient Lake Erie shoreline

Fort Erie joined the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) for a delegation with the Parliamentary Assistant to the Ministry of Natural Resources focused on shoreline and coastal resiliency.

Fort Erie and the NPCA have been working collaboratively on coastal hazard mapping, shoreline protection and resiliency planning as communities respond to the impacts of damaging extreme weather events.

The delegation advocated for a comprehensive shoreline resiliency plan, participation from multiple levels of government and stakeholders, short- and long-term financing strategies, provincial support and an extension of the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program.

Streamlining archaeological and development processes

The Town met with the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism and Parliamentary Assistants to the Ministry of Red Tape to advocate for more efficient archaeological assessment processes that support timely municipal projects and development.

The province outlined ongoing work to modernize and streamline archaeological and heritage processes, including efforts to reduce delays and improve coordination.

The Town also discussed the Strong Mayor budget process and advocated for provincial policies that better reflect the different needs and circumstances of municipalities across Ontario.

Niagara governance

Mayor Redekop joined the mayors of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Thorold, Port Colborne, Grimsby and West Lincoln to meet with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding potential governance changes in Niagara.

Discussions focused on Strong Chair powers and weighted voting. The Minister sought feedback from Niagara mayors following governance discussions that began earlier this year. Final provincial decisions on these matters are not expected until after the upcoming municipal election.

“Our meetings at AMO were productive and focused on practical issues that directly affect Fort Erie. We have important projects underway and significant opportunities ahead. Continued collaboration with the province will help us move these priorities forward and deliver results for our community.”

Chris McQueen, Chief Administrative Officer

The Town will continue following up with provincial ministries and staff on the opportunities, funding programs and policy matters discussed during the conference.

A media kit containing photos from the AMO conference.

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