Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus Announces Chair, Vice-Chair and Path Forward for 2025

January 16, 2025

Cultural & Community Updates

A large group of people in professional attire stand together for a photo — Pictured, front row, from left: Tyler Allsopp, MPP, Bay of Quinte; Michelle Ferreri, MP, Peterborough–Kawartha; Shelby Kramp-Neuman, MP, Hastings–Lennox and Addington; The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs; Steve Ferguson, Vice Chair, EOWC, Mayor of Prince Edward County; The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Bonnie Clark, Chair, EOWC, Warden of Peterborough County; Robin Jones, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario; Jennifer Murphy, Chair, Eastern Ontario Regional Network; Toby Randell, Warden, Lanark County; Ted Hsu, MPP, Kingston and the Islands; John Beddows, Chair, Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus; Peter Emon, Warden, Renfrew County; Christa Lowry, Chair, Rural Ontario Municipal Association; and Meredith Staveley-Watson, Director of Government Relations and Policy, EOWC. Back row, from left: Ric Bresee, MPP, Hastings-Lennox and Addington; Bob Mullin, Warden, Hastings County; Gerry Lichty, Warden, Frontenac County; Nathan Townend, Warden, Lennox and Addington County; Jeff Leal, Chair, Eastern Ontario Leadership Council; Brian Ostrander, Warden, Northumberland County; John Jordan, MPP, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston; Justin Towndale, Mayor, City of Cornwall; Doug Elmslie, Mayor, City of Kawartha Lakes; and Martin Lang, Warden, United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry.

Press Release – Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus

The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) has announced the acclamation of the 2025 EOWC Chair, Bonnie Clark (Warden of Peterborough County) and election of Vice-Chair, Steve Ferguson (Mayor of Prince Edward County). The election was held during the EOWC’s annual inaugural meeting on January 9 and 10, in the City of Kingston.

“It is an honour to lead as Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) for 2025,” states Bonnie Clark. “It is a critical time for our country, province and region to step up, and the EOWC remains ready to work and ready to grow. I look forward to working with my caucus colleagues in the year ahead to advance priorities of infrastructure, housing and health care on behalf of our 103 municipalities and residents across Eastern Ontario.”

“I am honoured to be elected as Vice-Chair,” states Steve Ferguson. “Alongside Chair Clark, I look forward to advancing the important advocacy work our caucus has prioritized for 2025, and continue to support partnerships that respond to the needs of our small-urban and rural communities.”

“Eastern Ontario and its rural communities are vital to the growth and success of our province. Whether it’s building long-term care homes or breaking down barriers to create new opportunities, this region continues to lead by example. Our government will continue to provide the support our municipal partners need to strengthen our economy, expand opportunities, and ensure Ontario remains a great place to live, work, and invest,” said Paul Calandra, Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

“I was pleased to attend the recent EOWC meeting that saw Bonnie Clark and Steve Ferguson step into Chair and Vice-Chair roles, respectively. The EOWC will benefit from their thoughtful leadership that will focus on priorities that will ultimately position Eastern Ontario as an important region that is ready to work and ready to grow! I look forward to working with them to enable opportunities for their local municipalities,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Rural Affairs.

As part of the 2025 inaugural meeting, the EOWC welcomed the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Paul Calandra, and Minister of Rural Affairs, Lisa Thompson, as well as a number of the region’s Members of Parliament (Cheryl Gallant, Michelle Ferreri, Shelby Kramp-Neuman), Members of Provincial Parliament (John Jordan, Ric Bresee, Tyler Allsopp, Ted Hsu). The meeting also emphasized EOWC partnerships with other organizations, with Representatives from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, the Eastern Ontario Mayors’ Caucus, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network, and the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council participating.

EOWC Priorities

The EOWC’s 2024-2027 strategic plan outlines a comprehensive roadmap, guiding its collective efforts to enhance the following priorities that are crucial for our member municipalities to thrive: infrastructure, housing and health care.

The EOWC remains Ready to Work and Ready to Grow. The EOWC is heading to Toronto for the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference between January 19 to 21. We look forward to discussions around how we can partner with the Ontario Government given the social, economic and political challenges facing us ahead.

About the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC)

The EOWC is a non-profit organization advocating for 103 small urban and rural municipalities across Eastern Ontario. The EOWC covers an area of 50,000 square kilometres, serving 800,000 residents. For more than 20 years, the EOWC has gained support and momentum by speaking with a united voice to champion regional municipal priorities and work with the government, businesses, non-profit organizations, Indigenous leaders, the media, and the public.