From left are local MPP Nolan Quinn, SDG Counties Warden Martin Lang, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services Michael Parsa, Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale and SDG Counties Coun. Jamie MacDonald.
SDG COUNTIES, Ontario – Officials from SDG Counties and its local municipalities will be reaching out to counterparts in upstate New York to strengthen already deep economic alliances in an effort to complement broader provincial strategies to engage our southern neighbours.
During this week’s Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) 2025 conference, the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus (EOWC) advocated that greater connectivity with American political leadership will have positive impacts for Canadian businesses looking to maintain or augment existing links.
Just this week the EOWC released data suggesting that a 25 per cent tariff, promised by U.S. President Donald Trump, will put billions of dollars in eastern Ontario exports at risk. The top commercial export for SDG Counties, according to 2021 Census data, is ‘dairy product manufacturing’ – accounting for $862 million.
SDG Counties Warden Martin Lang said local officials will work diligently to engage with American counterparts to illustrate how tariffs will not only impact the Canadian economy, but American consumers as well.
“Eastern Ontarians have enjoyed a positive, welcoming relationship with our friends in New York State,” said Lang. “It is our hope that by engaging with local leaders just across the border, we can bring home the dire impacts that a tariff or trade war will induce.”
Both Frankling County, and St. Lawrence County, in upstate New York border our region.
International relations wasn’t the only topic of discussion at ROMA. Local dignitaries engaged with a number of ministries and political contacts for greater funding and specificity with respect to investment and support for area programs and infrastructure.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
Warden Lang has advocated for continued provincial support for the Community Paramedic Program. The program allows paramedics to check-in on patients recently released from hospital, to ensure they are thriving and are free of future medical needs. The program is funded by provincial investment and continues until the end of 2026.
Ministry of Transportation
Warden Lang was joined by representatives from Lactalis, as well as the Township of North Dundas, to petition the provincial government to fund the reconstruction of Liscumb Road in Winchester. The growth and success of the Lactalis property in Winchester necessitates the reconstruction of Liscumb Road to allow for greater truck traffic. Lactalis is the world’s largest dairy company, with 44 million kg of milk entering its Winchester plant annually. With expansions, that number is expected to jump to 55 million.
City of Cornwall
SDG Counties joined with the City of Cornwall in advocating for improved collaboration between the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Ministry of Health is crucial for enhancing community housing, streamlining resources, ensuring better service delivery, and addressing housing needs efficiently.
SDG Counties and the City of Cornwall anchor eastern Ontario, representing more than 120,000 residents, families and business owners. Cornwall acts as the delivery agent for social and human services in our region via a shared services agreement between the parties. By working together MCCSS, MOH, and MMAH could remove inter-ministerial silos, where there exist shared service deliverables. This ensures that funding and support are allocated more efficiently to programs that encourage locally driven solutions.
Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus advocates for regional priorities