Fort Frances, Ontario – 2025/08/26 – Representatives from the District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) recently returned from the 2025 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, following a productive series of meetings with provincial officials and partners. Rainy River Mayor and DRRSB Board Chair Deb Ewald, along with Lake of the Woods Township Mayor and DRRSB Board member Colleen Fadden, attended the annual event to raise local concerns and showcase innovative solutions aimed at strengthening services across the Rainy River District.

Key issues raised included:

• Pressures on Small Municipalities and the District Social Services Administration Board (DSSAB) Model – DRRSB emphasized that provincial funding models have not kept pace with the growing responsibilities of District Social Services Administration Boards, particularly in small and rural areas with limited tax bases. The Board called for a dedicated provincial fund to sustain DSSABs as they continue to deliver housing, child care, and other critical human services.
  
  
• Child Care Workforce and Women’s Economic Mobility – DRRSB proposed a pilot project to provide income-supported retraining for women to obtain their Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) designation. The initiative would both address the child care labour shortage and advance women’s workforce participation, aligning with provincial priorities around women’s economic opportunities and child care expansion.
  
  
• Access to Primary Care – In discussions with the Ontario Medical Association (OMA), DRRSB outlined concerns with the current Rural and Northern Physician Group Agreement (RNPGA) model. The delegation highlighted how gaps in primary care access increase costs for municipalities and place added strain on local emergency and housing services. OMA representatives acknowledged these concerns and the importance of including municipalities and hospitals in future planning.

Although no formal commitments were made, provincial representatives expressed interest in DRRSB’s proposals and acknowledged the pressing challenges facing the district.

“The AMO Conference gave us a valuable platform to ensure the voices of our residents are heard,” said Ewald. “We left encouraged by the thoughtful dialogue and will continue to advocate for sustainable solutions that reflect the unique realities of our region.”

DRRSB will follow up on these discussions in the coming months as part of its ongoing efforts to secure stronger, more economically sustainable supports for the communities it serves.