Middlesex County representatives advocate for region at Queen’s Park

MIDDLESEX COUNTY (MAY 5, 2026) – Middlesex County representatives joined municipal leaders from across Western Ontario at Queen’s Park on May 4 to advocate for shared regional priorities with provincial decision-makers.

The Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus annual Queen’s Park Day brings together municipal leaders, MPPs and Cabinet Ministers to discuss policies and programs that affect Counties across western Ontario. This year’s advocacy focused on infrastructure and housing-enabling investment, sustainable funding for homelessness prevention, and the need for coordinated regional rural transit.

Middlesex County representatives highlighted the work already underway to advance these priorities locally and how provincial support can help ensure their success.

In terms of infrastructure planning, the County is supporting growth by collaborating with local municipalities on housing‑enabling initiatives, including Housing Accelerator Fund projects and the County’s Build Ready Housing Design program, both aimed at reducing barriers and enabling more homes to be built across the region.

Working alongside community partners on homelessness prevention, Middlesex County is strengthening coordinated access to systems, improving early intervention supports, and helping people maintain housing stability before they reach a point of crisis. Last year, the Middlesex County Homelessness Prevention Program provided assistance to 75 households, helping prevent unsheltered homelessness across Middlesex County.

Middlesex County Connect, the County’s inter-community bus service, has seen promising growth. In 2025, over 14,000 people used the service to help them get to work, get to appointments, and see their friends and family. Middlesex County is a key regional partner serving residents from St. Thomas, London, Woodstock, and Sarnia in addition to Middlesex County.

“We thank the Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus for bringing everyone together for Queen’s Park Day and our colleagues in the Legislature for taking the time to meet with us,” said Middlesex County Warden Sue Clarke. “Communities across the region face similar challenges and when we work together, we can ensure provincial programming and investments are responsive to the needs of rural and small urban municipalities.”

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Middlesex County is an innovative, well-run organization offering high-value programs and services to the best community in which to live, visit, and do business in Southwestern Ontario. The County serves a vibrant, growing community of 81,700 people and offers a great place to call home, offering exceptional lifestyle, a wide variety of local attractions, and wonderful sense of community.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Middlesex County Media Relations

Legislative Services Division

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