Close to 250 delegates from across Ontario will gather in Greater
Sudbury from September 24th to 26th for the 14th annual conference of the
Francophone Association of Municipalities of Ontario/Association française
des municipalités de l'Ontario (AFMO) taking place at the Howard Johnson
Hotel. The conference is being presented in partnership with RDÉE Ontario
and the Conseil de la Coopération de l'Ontario, provincial organizations
that promote economic, social and community development.
Focusing on the theme: "The Economic Health of Ontario
Municipalities: Diagnosis / Prognosis / Recovery", the
conference will explore a number of issues of interest to municipalities -
including immigration, government partnerships, tourism and economic
development - and will give participants an opportunity to network and
share ideas. Special guests include Senator Marie-P. Poulin and
Diane St-Jacques, MP and Parliamentary Secretary for Human Resources
Development Canada.
“The City of Greater Sudbury is pleased to host the AFMO
conference,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Jim Gordon. “We wish all
participants a warm welcome to our city.” He added: “I would also like
to commend the organizing committee and the many partners who have worked
together to ensure the conference's success. The City of Greater Sudbury
is proud to be among the many communities in Ontario who have significant
Francophone populations.”
The Francophone Association of Municipalities of Ontario was created in
1989 with a primary objective of maintaining and improving the delivery of
municipal services in French. AFMO member municipalities include Ottawa,
Hawkesbury and Cornwall in the East, Timmins, Cochrane and Kirkland Lake
in the North and Welland, Toronto and Windsor in the South. The
Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is one of many associate
members.
“This is the only municipal conference in Ontario that takes place in
French for Francophone municipalities and their partners in the
province,” said AFMO President Gaston Patenaude, Mayor of
Prescott-Russell. “Simultaneous translation is provided throughout the
conference.” He added: “On behalf of AFMO, I would like to
congratulate the City of Greater Sudbury for hosting this important event
that brings together municipal officials and employees, representatives
from provincial and federal governments and AFMO associate members and
resource people, with conference speakers and presenters who have a broad
range of expertise.”
The City of Greater Sudbury has been working in partnership with AFMO,
RDÉE Ontario and le Conseil de la Coopération de l'Ontario for more than
a year to plan this year's conference. “An exciting program of
activities has been developed to inspire and inform participants and give
everyone an opportunity to get to know each other better,” said Greater
Sudbury Councillor and Deputy Mayor Louise Portelance, Vice-President of
AFMO and Chair of the 2003 Conference Organizing Committee. She added:
“This conference has received tremendous support from the public and
private sectors. I would like to commend all of our partners for their
generous contributions.”
