The Independent

Lambton County ‘s Warden, Enniskillen Mayor Kevin Marriott, has a new, temporary title – Chair of the Western Warden’s Caucus.

Earlier this month, Marriott was elected the vice-chair of the group which represents 15
counties and single-tier municipalities in Southwestern Ontario with more than 1.6 million
residents. But today, the organization’s Chair Amy Martin of Norfolk County, stepped aside to run for the Conservatives in the provincial election. That means Marriott will take over the advocacy role until at least Feb. 27.

Marriott says this election period is an important time for the warden’s group to make sure all parties understand the needs of rural Ontario. That has already been happening.

During the recent Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference, Marriott says the caucus members met with all parties to highlight some of the areas of need.

“The number one (issue) is homelessness and addiction,” says Marriott. But he adds for rural communities access to high speed internet and reliable cellular service as well as access to health care in rural areas are also important issues.

Personally, Marriott would also like to see the next provincial government create a new roads and bridges infrastructure program.

“We’re constantly talking infrastructure, because the rural Ontario feels like we haven’t had a bridge and road program for years now.”

Marriott sees the cash flowing into the GTA and feel it is “benefiting over all of Ontario, because they’re getting road dollars all the time and rural Ontario hasn’t been.”

The new Caucus Chair believes the group’s concerns are being heard. “The western wardens and the eastern wardens caucus has become more influential to the provincial government…It’s actually gaining a lot of respect.”

And Marriott says the group keeps a “good relationship” with the opposition parties. “It’s actually very interesting to sit down with them. Of course, opposition can promise anything they want until they become government. But we had really good delegations with all last week. So we’re planting the seeds in case something happens.”