The Fall Workshop is a great opportunity to learn, network, and to have fun with friends old and new. While the Golf event is sold out, there are still spaces available for the Treetop Trekking event on Wednesday afternoon (130-430). Other fun social events include the Chocolate Sculpture Event on Wednesday evening and the Trivia Challenge on Thursday.
The Program-at-a-Glance provides the full range of sessions and speakers. Session Spotlight: PPS and Planning Law Update
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest updates to the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) and planning law. This session will cover key changes, implications for local planning decisions, and how to ensure compliance with the new regulations. Laura Dean, Aird & Berlis
Anyone looking to book a room should call Deerhurst Resort at 800-461-4393 and identify as part of the OMAA group.
While attending in person is always preferable, we understand that not everyone can travel or attend for all three days. That's why there are Thursday Only and Virtual registration options available. |
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Last chance to apply for Bursary and Baldwin Award |
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The Maureen McCauley Bursary now offers two $5,000 awards to support the education of future municipal government leaders thanks to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The Bursary is available to any student in a post secondary program meeting the following criteria:
(1) Is a student residing in Ontario
(2) Is a student that has completed at least one year of an Ontario university or an Ontario community college program that has the potential to lead to a municipal government career.
(3) Has submitted the completed Application Form, accompanied by the noted requirements
The Awards Committee will assess all submissions under approved evaluation criteria. The successful candidate will be advised of their award in October. Bursary funds will be made available to the successful applicant shortly thereafter. Successful candidates will be invited to attend the Fall Workshop virtually or in person to receive their award.
Applicants must complete the application form and also develop a 2-3 minute video which would outline the significance of municipal government service delivery and the value of professional management thereof. Examples are included on our website. Applications close on 30 September 2024.
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The Robert Baldwin Award is Ontario's highest award for municipal public service. Winners must demonstrate significant and lasting contributions to municipal and local government plus service to the community, the province, and the country.
The award was inspired by the achievements of Robert Baldwin: a principled political figure active in the mid-1800s. Baldwin wrote the first Municipal Act, supported religious tolerance and women's rights, was one of the first proponents of a bi-cultural nation and popularized the idea of "responsible government".
The Robert Baldwin Award is presented at the Fall Workshop when suitable candidates are identified. Nominations are accepted by the Awards Committee, with the name of the selected candidate tabled for Board approval. Nominations will be accepted until 30 September 2024. |
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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) |
Named the “Most Welcoming Town 2017” by The Wedge, The Town of Renfrew, was founded on the forestry industry and with the success of the lumber barons of the 1800s, made it a booming municipality in eastern Ontario. Over the years, the Town has moved from a resource-based economy to a diversified regional economy.
With an established, vibrant downtown offering a good mix of retail and services; a manufacturing base and a regional health centre – Renfrew is building for the future. Renfrew’s quality of life is exceptional for a community with a population of 8,553. The Town offers well rounded educational opportunities with four elementary schools and two high schools located in Renfrew. Health care in Renfrew is excellent. The municipality is home to the Renfrew and Area Health Village – a multi-service regional health care community. The Health Village is comprised of a hospital supporting 450 staff with state-of-the-art equipment; a variety of specialty clinics; a hospice; two long-term care centres; and a retirement residence.
Within easy access (a short 95km away) to Canada’s capital, Renfrew is also close to recreational amenities including Algonquin Park, Ottawa River, white water rafting, skiing, multi-use trails, a motorsports park with the longest racetrack in Canada and 16 community parks.
With a forward-thinking strategic plan, a combined operational and capital budget of over $78.5M and over 400 full and part-time employees, The Town of Renfrew is committed to meeting the needs of residents and a thriving business community by delivering efficient and effective services.
Inspire our Future as our Chief Administrative Officer
As the ideal candidate you are an inspiring, principled, and collaborative executive leader with a proven track record of results and accomplishments with related leadership experience. You have exceptional communication skills and the political acumen to interact with an engaged council, diverse stakeholders, foster the development of partnerships, and inspire our employees, while ensuring customer service excellence. Lastly, you will have an exceptional understanding of forward-thinking strategies as it relates to managing growth, ensuring effective municipal operations in a fiscally accountable fashion and guiding the organization into the future, while retaining our town community charm.
Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the Chief Administrative Officer is responsible for the strategic leadership and efficient delivery of all the municipality’s administrative and operational services. As the key advisor to Council, you well embrace our strategic plana and have the vision to develop and implement operational plans and ensure the coordination of services which align to and support our strategic priorities. You will recommend policies, plans, and programs that benefit our residents by being innovative, accountable, and fiscally sound. You will work to enhance growth and development in the community, as well as ensure the effective utilization of resources through the priorities and guiding principles as identified by Council. Leading a talented team, you will inspire a dedicated workforce and help foster a workplace culture focused on service excellence, innovation and teamwork while positioning the Town of Renfrew as an employer of choice.
Closes: 21 October 2024 |
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The Municipality of West Perth is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Located in Southwestern Ontario, West Perth is a thriving, caring community that offers diverse opportunities to live, work, and play.
With a population of 9,000, the community features a strong agriculture sector with significant contributions from other sectors including manufacturing, retail and services. The fully serviced community of Mitchell is the main population center of West Perth and there are opportunities for rural living in nearby hamlets and villages. Reporting to the Mayor and Council, the CAO exercises general control and management of the affairs of the corporation for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the municipality.
Closes: 3 October 2024 at 12:00pm |
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The City of Vaughan is looking for qualified candidates to serve as Hearing Officers for matters related to the City’s By-laws. In this role, appointed by the City Clerk, you will review decisions made by Screening Officers concerning municipal by-law penalties under the City’s Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS).
Hearing Officers provide services as independent contractors and are not considered employees. They maintain autonomy in adjudicating disputes under AMPs to uphold the principles of impartiality and procedural fairness.
Key Responsibilities Conduct hearings in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedure Act (SPPA) and exercise the Delegated Power of Decision in the review of Screening Decisions. Review case documentation in accordance with established policies, procedures, and guidelines. Issue oral and written decisions in accordance with the AMPS By-law, including decisions on whether to affirm, reduce, or cancel Administrative Monetary Penalties and/or to extend the time to pay Administrative Monetary Penalties. Ensure equal access, fair treatment, and due process for all parties. Ensure that all rulings and decisions are independent and free of outside influence. Regularly review and comply with all applicable by-laws, policies, procedures, guidelines, legislation, and regulations. Maintain and upgrade knowledge and competence by participating in training and education courses, as required. Perform all other services as outlined in the Hearing Officer Contract. Have the necessary computer hardware, software, and high-speed internet service together with all the necessary computing skills to be able to conduct a virtual Hearing in a professional and skilled manner.
Eligibility Must satisfy the eligibility criteria outlined in Section 7 of the AMPS By-law..
Job Type: Part-time (approximately 6 - 8 days per month) or as required
Location: Remote Compensation
$300 per day for hearings lasting up to 3 hours.
$600 per day for hearings lasting between 3 and 6 hours.
Please note that a one-hour break period is unpaid.
Closes: 30 September 2024 |
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| I am saddened and angry whenever someone in power seeks to target a specific group of people, especially when they make up lies about that group.
Plato once said, "Ignorance is the root and stem of all evil." He knew that men are quick to point fingers when they don’t understand what’s happening around them. It’s easier to blame someone else than to face their own failures or look deep into the roots of the problem. The scapegoat takes the fall, while the real cause hides in the dark, untouched.
This is harmful because it shifts the focus from a productive discussion to a false narrative. Rather than engaging with the real issues, it creates a distraction. To have meaningful dialogue, it’s important to address actual issues and arguments, not some misinformation aiming at attacking a vulnerable group.
Sartre understood the cowardice of scapegoating better than most. “Man is condemned to be free,” meaning we must take responsibility for our own actions. But the scapegoater rejects that freedom. He hands it over, pointing to someone else, avoiding the truth that he is responsible for his own choices. He condemns others to carry the weight he should bear.
In the end, scapegoating solves nothing. It’s a coward’s way out. And when the dust settles, nothing has changed. The problems remain, and those who choose to scapegoat find themselves empty-handed, clutching at shadows. The easy answer is rarely the right one. And the person who choose to scapegoat live in a lie, until it consumes them whole. |
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While we still have two more years until the next municipal election, it never hurts to start preparing early--especially in this new era of AI and deepfakes.
Microsoft's Democracy Forward initiative is working to preserve, protect, and advance the fundamentals of democracy by safeguarding open and secure democratic processes, promoting a healthy information ecosystem, and advocating for corporate civic responsibility.
Microsoft is also working to ensure that we keep democratic processes safe, including elections and by addressing potential risks arising from the abuse of AI services. This involves safeguarding our services from deceptive content like deepfakes that alter the actions or statements of political candidates or alter the facts around election processes that inform voters where, when, and how to vote. To this end they have set up a reporting hotline or rather a form intended to address deceptive AI-generated media appearing on Microsoft consumer services that may materially affect you and your candidate’s electoral campaign; or may materially mislead the public about election processes, possibly resulting in disenfranchisement.
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