Business View Civil and Municipal l January 2023

165 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 a conversation about the adverse effects on mental health and addiction that the pandemic has had on the smaller rural communities. As is being experienced across the Province, Southwestern Ontario is facing ever-growing numbers of opioid overdoses and small and rural municipalities are feeling the strains of mental health and addictions in their communities. As part of this priority, WOWC had committed to encouraging coordination and collaboration between regional stakeholders, including the health care and policing sectors, to improve the health outcomes of our most vulnerable. “We’re just beginning to frame this priority as a region and what we can do. Mental health and addictions are a key priority as we need to support the most vulnerable in our communities,” says Burns Gallagher. Once again, these priorities are linked to others. Mental health and addiction are related to housing because when affordable homes aren’t available and people can’t get into the workforce due to a lack of training, this eventually leads to homelessness issues. A lack of accessibility to broadband and education also has a domino effect on mental health. The WOWC wants to address all of these priorities to ensure that rural communities can become vibrant and healthy. Another element that the WOWC addresses is long-term care for senior citizens. It’s been a focus for the Western Ontario Women’s Caucus and several other counties to provide proper care throughout the region. Most government funding is accessed via conferences with ministers, and this is where organizations like WOWC can share with them what is happening on the ground and the best practices for the communities. WOWC also works with senior staff and regional directors from several different WOWC - WESTERN ONTARIO WARDENS CAUCUS