Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC) Chair, Glen McNeil, and
Executive Director Kate Burns Gallagher, participated in the 2023 Ministers’ Housing Forum in Toronto on Monday, November 27th , 2023.
Chair McNeil met with the Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing along with Associate Minister Rob Flack and Parliamentary Assistant Matthew Rae, to discuss housing in our small and rural southwestern communities.
“The Housing Forum was an opportunity to meet Minister Calandra and ensure that small and rural Southwestern Ontario has a voice at the table,” stated Chair Glen McNeil.
Other attendees at the event included municipal representatives, developer associations, non-
profits, modular housing builders, as well as the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus, Ontario Big City Mayors and the Rural Ontario Municipal Association.
The Forum included several roundtable discussions on topics such as inclusive housing, modular housing, and missing-middle homes.
By working collaboratively with provincial representatives, the Caucus aims to bring about
lasting and impactful solutions to the challenges faced by small and rural municipalities in
Southwestern Ontario.
“Our communities are leaders in finding solutions to today’s housing crisis. We are fortunate
that both Associate Minister Flack and Parliamentary Assistant Rae are from Western Ontario
and understand the unique challenges and solutions that small and rural communities can bring to the table,” said WOWC Chair Glen McNeil. “Through our combined efforts and ongoing advocacy, WOWC remains committed to working closely with our provincial counterparts.”
To learn more about the WOWC’s priorities, research, and recommendations, please visit
www.wowc.ca.
