About Us
Who We Are
The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus is a united front in the province of Ontario representing over 20% of the population of the Province.
We are a not-for-profit organization representing 15 upper and single tier municipalities in approximately 300 communities.
The Western region covers almost half a million square kilometres of territory, more than 90% of it rural including, approximately 25,000 kilometres of roads, more than 3,000 bridges and 24,000 culverts.
WOWC advocates on behalf of the member Counties on key items such as; infrastructure, transportation, long term care, broadband, and economic development.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the WOWC is to advocate and engage with other levels of government as one united voice on opportunities, common needs and issues of critical importance to Southwestern Ontario.
Contacts
Warden Glen McNeil
WOWC Chair
gmcneil@huroncounty.ca
Meighan Wark
WOWC Secretary
mwark@huroncounty.ca
Kate Burns Gallagher
WOWC Executive Director
kate@wowc.ca
SWIFT
For enquires about the SWIFT project contact Barry Field
WOWC Manager of Government Relations
justin@wowc.ca
Charlotte Gravlev
WOWC Administrative Coordinator
gravlev@gmail.com
Member Counties
County of Brant
Board of Directors Position: Director – David Bailey
CAO – Alison Newton
Bruce County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Chris Peabody
CAO – Christine MacDonald
Chatham Kent
Board of Directors Position: Director – Darrin Canniff
CAO – Michael Duben
Dufferin County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Darren White
CAO & WOWC Treasurer – Sonya Pritchard
Elgin County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Ed Ketchabaw
CAO – Blaine Parkin
County of Essex
Board of Directors Position: Director – Hilda MacDonald
CAO – Sandra Zweirs
Grey County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Brian Milne
CAO – Kim Wingrove
Huron County
Board of Directors Position: Chair– Glen McNeil
CAO – Meighan Wark
County of Lambton
Board of Directors Position: Director –Kevin Marriott
CAO – Stéphane Thiffeault
Middlesex County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Aina DeViet
CAO – Chris Traini
Norfolk County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Amy Martin
Acting CAO – Al Meneses
Oxford County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Marcus Ryan
CAO – Ben Addley
Perth County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Rhonda Ehgoetz
Acting CAO – Lori Wolfe
Simcoe County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Basil Clarke
CAO & WOWC Secretary – Mark Aitken
Wellington County
Board of Directors Position: Director – Andy Lennox
CAO – Scott Wilson
Provincial Partners
The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade in the Canadian province of Ontario is responsible for programs to attract and retain business and economic development in the province
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is an Ontario government ministry responsible for the food, agriculture and rural sectors of the Canadian province of Ontario.
Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development
The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development mission is to advance safe, fair and harmonious workplace practices that are essential to the social and economic well-being of the people of Ontario.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the department of the Government of Ontario that is responsible for municipal affairs and housing in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Federal Partners
On June 27, 2019, the Government of Canada released a new federal strategy called Rural Opportunities, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada.
FedDev Ontario
For over 10 years, FedDev Ontario has actively worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation and growth in Canada’s most populous region.
Association Partners
The Western Ontario Community Futures Development Corporation Association (WOCFDCA) and its members offer business services & business financing to small & medium-sized startup companies in Southwestern Ontario.
Workforce Planning West
Workforce Planning West is comprised of the nine Workforce Planning Boards operating in the area between Lake Erie and Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada. Workforce Planning Boards gather intelligence about the supply of labour and the demand for workers within the local labour market.
SWIFT Network
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) is a non profit municipally-led broadband expansion project created to improve internet connectivity in underserved communities and rural areas across Southwestern Ontario.
Eastern Ontario Regional Network
EORN is dedicated to advocating for and advancing improved rural connectivity as key to the region’s prosperity. Federal and provincial partners trust EORN and EOWC to develop evidence-based solutions to regional economic challenges