Provincial Election -- 27 February 2025 |
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The campaign has been dominated with the impact of President Trump’s proposed tariffs – now deferred to 4 March 2025. Green Party
Mike Schreiner remains focused on housing, promising that a Green government would implement a “First-Time Homebuyers Plan” featuring province-wide zoning reforms. Liberal Party
Bonnie Crombie criticized the PCs’ track record on housing, framing the election as Ford’s attempt to “cling to power.” She introduced her “Fight Tariffs Fund,” aimed at providing Ontario businesses with lower interest rates, while also pledging to eliminate “nonsensical provincial trade barriers.” New Democratic Party
Marit Stiles vowed to “tariff-proof” Ontario by collaborating with employers, unions, and the federal government to protect jobs, support trade-exposed industries, and champion Ontario-made goods. Progressive Conservative Party
Doug Ford’s lead in the polls continues to grow as his campaign emphasizes the impact of U.S. tariffs and Ontario’s proposed countermeasures.
An Ontario Election Prediction based on a weighted average of all available polling data and a seat projection that employs a proportional swing model is available from The Writ. |
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OMAA has shared three key asks that we believe would make a meaningful difference for all Ontarians with the main four political parties: Safeguarding Our Local Democracy: Stronger Municipal Governance Benefits All Ontarians.
We call upon all candidates to prioritize these areas that are vital for enhancing municipal governance across Ontario. Good governance is foundational to the health and prosperity of our communities. Good governance involves maintaining balance between elected leadership providing direction and municipal operations conducted by a professional CAO charged with implementing that direction. |
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Some municipalities have begun to explore ways to support Provincial and Federal responses to the US tariffs, particularly around promoting "Buy Local" policies. A challenge, however, is how to navigate existing Procurement By-laws and regulations. Has your municipality found innovative ways to align local procurement with Buy Local initiatives? Have you adjusted policies, developed creative programs, or implemented new strategies to support local businesses while remaining compliant?
Please share any experiences, best practices, and any lessons learned Please send in your ideas by clicking the button below. We appreciate your input and will share all responses. |
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Whether in or on behalf of your communities, buying local supports local businesses that employ our friends and neighbours--and has a lower carbon footprint than purchasing imports. Here are two sites to help you: |
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Made in CA is a list of Canadian products in one place, so you can support Canadian businesses and Canadian workers. We’re also a fine resource if you’re looking for alternatives to Chinese-made products, given the country’s recent anti-Canadian actions. We encourage everyone to learn about the companies they support so they can make choices that align with their values.
Ontario Made is on a mission to make it easier to know what products are manufactured in Ontario. It is our mission to tell the story of how manufacturers and retailers contribute to the growth of Ontario's economy and create meaningful jobs for Ontarians. Ontario Made was created and is managed by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME). A member-driven non-profit business association, that has advocated and represented member interests for over 150 years.
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Spring Workshop and Public Speaking Training |
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The 2025 Spring Workshop takes place from May 14-16 at the stunning JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort. The Wednesday night keynote speaker is Rock it by Talking it delivered by Stuart Knight
The Draft Program-at-a-Glance is now available. The Early Bird ends 14 February so register today.
You may also book your hotel room (including extensions) at the JW Marriott by phoning Shanika at 705-765-1900 or via: https://book.passkey.com/go/OMAA2025 Be sure to select the correct dates if using the link. |
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Join us on May 14 (at the JW before the spring workshop starts) to boost your confidence and command the room with the Advanced Communication and Presentation Skills Workshop, a full-day, hands-on training delivered by the experts at Commanding Presence. Limited to just 20 participants, this workshop offers: Customized Assessments: Pre-workshop assessments ensure your coaching is tailored to your goals. Transformational Video Feedback: Review your recorded presentations with valuable input from peers and the coach. World-Class Coaching: Receive expert, personalized coaching that builds on your unique speaking style and personality. You’ll leave with the skills to present confidently, think on your feet, and make memorable, persuasive connections. Join us for an empowering experience that’s both challenging and rewarding!
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The OMAA Schulich School of Business CAO Leadership Program is 90% full.
This program is ideal for new CAOs and Aspiring CAOs in municipalities of all tiers and sizes across Ontario. Professional managers and key decision makers will gain the vital leadership skills, strategies, and methods needed to better support elected officials and effectively implement Council policies, levelling up to more senior roles.
It is hosted in a convenient choice model of virtual or in-person and features top-rated instructors with guest appearances from seasoned CAOs: 24 March Module 1: Transformational Leadership Virtual or In-person at the Nadal Centre
25 March Module 2: Culture Shaping Leadership Virtual or In-person at the Nadal Centre 10 April Module 3: Solving Complex Problems Virtual
24 April Module 4: Digital Futures Virtual 8 May Module 5: Political Acuity Virtual or In-person at the Nadal Centre
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Are you interested in becoming a CAO one day?
Join us in Kingston on 11 April for a jam-packed day filled with great advice, networking, and hands-on workshop segments for Aspiring CAOs including:
-- moving up the municipal ladder in an expediated fashion
-- things Councils look for in a new CAO and recruiter Q&A
-- contracts, mentoring, and building your brand
-- developing your elevator pitch and LinkedIn Profile Registration is only $25 for members or $99 for non-members. |
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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) |
The Town of Essex is located in southwestern Ontario, approximately 28 kilometres southeast of the City of Windsor. It is one of seven lower?tier municipalities in the County of Essex with borders extending from the hub of the county to Lake Erie. Essex includes two urban centres (Essex Centre and Harrow) and two hamlets (McGregor and Colchester). These unique communities are surrounded by a thriving wine and agriculture industry and boast a wide range of recreational facilities, an excellent school system, and affordable living options.
The Town is current seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief Administrative Officer.
As the top executive position for the municipality, the CAO is responsible for providing strategic vision and effective leadership to the whole organization and is the administrative representative to the community. With the support of the Senior Management Team the CAO plans, organizes, directs and controls all municipal operations and services in accordance with municipal policies and relevant legislation and oversees and provides leadership and direction to cross-departmental efforts to continuously improve the overall citizen experience.
The Town of Essex offers a competitive salary in the range of $191,871 to $233,225, complimented by an excellent benefit package.
Closes: 7 March 2025 |
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Director of Finance / Treasurer |
The City of Dryden, located on Wabigoon Lake, in the heart of Northwestern Ontario, is enveloped by the beauty of tranquil lakes, stunning views, and the boreal forest. Dryden offers the perfect blend of opportunities to raise a family, launch a business or enjoy retirement. The city has grown the conveniences of an urban centre without losing its rural, neighbourly charm.
Dryden is a community in motion, known for its abundant outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, and hiking but also for its first-class fully equipped recreation complex. There is something for every sport and outdoor enthusiast in Dryden, waterfront golf course, beaches, canoeing, cross-country skiing, easily accessible hunting in the Boreal Forest and fishing in and on local pristine lakes.
The City of Dryden is seeking a visionary Director of Finance/Treasurer to drive financial sustainability and strategic growth in our thriving municipality. As a key member of the senior management team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the City's financial future, ensuring responsible fiscal management, and implementing innovative, yet prudent, financial strategies that enhance service delivery and community well-being.
Dryden offers an exciting opportunity for finance professionals who are enthusiastic about public service, governance, and financial leadership. Here, you will enjoy the challenge of balancing strategic financial planning with operational efficiency, all while making a meaningful impact in a close-knit and engaged community. |
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Executive Director, Housing Development Office |
Toronto is Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is home to more than 3 million residents whose diversity and experiences strengthen our great city. A global centre for business, finance, technology, arts, culture, and innovation, Toronto consistently places at the top of international rankings due in part to investments championed by residents and businesses, and in turn, led by Toronto City Council and carried out through the work of the Toronto Public Service. As Toronto continues to face an unprecedented housing affordability crisis across the housing continuum, the City has established a new Housing Development Office that will bring a singular focus to City-led and City-supported housing development, and strengthen coordination between the City, CreateTO and Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) to achieve the City's housing goals with priority to affordable housing.
Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, the newly-established role of Executive Director of the Housing Development Office will oversee the consolidated list of all housing development projects, the consolidated housing capital plan and budget including investments in City-led projects (including through TCHC, CreateTO, and City-supported projects), and will ensure the City and City Council continue to have full visibility on all projects and investments across the entire housing portfolio. More specifically, this new Office will: Ensure coordination of the development of all City-led housing sites (sites owned and/or overseen by the City, as well as its agencies, and corporations) and City-supported housing sites (sites owned by Indigenous, non-profit, and co-operative housing organizations); Focus on monitoring activities at each stage gate and 'unsticking' projects by working with other divisions in Development and Growth Services to resolve issues and hurdles that prevent projects from advancing through development and permitting approvals quickly; Conduct an ongoing review of the City-led and supported housing project pipeline to strategically sequence projects and harvest new or emerging housing opportunities; Establish and maintain a consistent delivery framework, including common methodologies for financial modelling, site due diligence and investment approvals; Ensure more seamless transitions between the City and its housing delivery partners, for example, where a City partner may lead the early phases of a project and then transfer responsibility to the City or another partner when the site is ready to be taken to market; Implement new tools to enable improved transparency and reporting of progress across all City Divisions, Agencies and Corporations involved in the delivery of housing; Identify the appropriate delivery models for City-owned sites, whether that be City-led or led by one of the City's delivery partners, CreateTO or TCHC; and Take on additional functions and contracting arrangements to enable faster affordable housing delivery. By optimizing expertise and resources across teams, strengthening coordination, and streamlining process and systems, the Executive Director will effectively advance the City-led approach to delivering and expediting housing projects that benefit all citizens of Toronto. The Executive Director, Housing Development Office will oversee a team of approximately 10-15 people, and is an in-person role.
Closes: 19 February 2025 |
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Executive Director Building & Chief Building Official |
The Executive Director, Building & Chief Building Official provides strategic leadership to ensure all newly constructed commercial and residential buildings meet provincial and municipal standards and regulations. This role oversees the issuance of licenses and permits for construction in Toronto, ensuring compliance with technical standards and regulatory frameworks. Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, the Executive Director drives operational excellence, policy development, and service improvements to support the city’s growth and development.
The ideal candidate is a visionary and results-oriented leader with a proven track record in managing regulatory compliance, policy development, and operational oversight within a large organization. They demonstrate expertise in stakeholder engagement, financial management, and driving performance improvement while ensuring alignment with government standards and priorities. The candidate is skilled in building collaborative partnerships, leading change initiatives, and navigating complex regulatory environments to achieve organizational goals. Beyond the core role, the successful individual will be a key member of the Development and Growth team helping with key Council priorities such as the Housing Crisis. Passion and progressiveness is how this individual should be described in balancing their need to ensure compliance and challenge the status quo and create excitement and motivation the division.
Closes: 24 February 2025 |
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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) |
Municipality of South Dundas |
As the senior administrative leader within the Municipality of South Dundas, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) offers strategic advice and guidance to the Council, staff, and the public on best practices in governance and efficient administration.
The CAO is responsible for providing effective leadership to the Municipality's management and staff, overseeing the allocation of human, financial, and physical resources to ensure the successful achievement of Council’s directives through operational and strategic efforts.
Key Competencies:
1. Achieves Excellence: Provides strategic leadership, effective governance, and builds a positive work culture while meeting municipal goals.
2. Adapts to Change: Focuses on solutions, demonstrates managerial courage, and achieves and maintains a high level of trust and confidence with both Council and staff.
3. Adjusts to Ambiguity: Manages change effectively by setting clear priorities, expectations, and metrics, and can guide/connect routine efforts to organizational strategic priorities.
4. Aligns Interests: Builds connections and alignment between Council and administration.
5. Anticipates Situations: is able to be decisive and act quickly to find effective solutions while continuing to achieving results. The salary range for this position is $138,036 – 169,779. Closes: 10 February 2025 |
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The Town of Gore Bay is located on Manitoulin Island in Ontario on the majestic north channel of Lake Huron, with access to the best freshwater boating in the world. Gore Bay offers a splendid outdoor experience, with a pristine natural setting.
With a population of approximately 1,000, the Town of Gore Bay also serves as a busy service hub to the surrounding municipalities, serving 4,500 people in total. Whether you need to visit the bank, send a letter at the post office, or access vital services at Service Ontario, everything is a walkable distance. From well-stocked grocery aisles, to trusted legal services and courthouse, to financial services, to transportation services, to a modernized local airport, the Town offers all the essential services needed for everyday life.
Looking ahead, Gore Bay is actively pursuing a vision to double its population over the next 20 years, and with our progressive council, we are well on our way! In Gore Bay, future residents will find a Town that is growing in both size and opportunity, where community spirit and modern ambitions go hand in hand.
The Town of Gore Bay is looking for a people leader that inspires a high-performance team to deliver extraordinary services for the community we serve. The successful candidate will receive a competitive starting salary within the range of $90,000 to $110,000, coupled with an OMERS pension and excellent benefits package. Closes: 28 February 2025 |
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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) |
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (Brockville) |
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville (Leeds Grenville), with a population of 100,546, has 13 dynamic municipalities within its borders. They include 10 municipalities and 3 member municipalities. All offer an excellent quality of life set over a diverse landscape. Investment and new business is welcome throughout the region. This is an area "Where lifestyle grows Good Business." The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville is a transportation hub in the Province of Ontario. Its location stretches over 3,350-square kilometres and offers business and industry enviable access to Highways 401 and 416, the main CNR line, a deep-water port and two international bridges to the U.S. The Counties are centrally located between Toronto and Montreal. International airports are within 30 to 60 minutes. The entire United Counties region boasts a high quality of life and it has earned the World Health Organization's Safe Communities designation.
As the administrative lead of the Counties, the CAO performs the duties and functions and exercises the powers assigned by the Municipal Act and other enactments, or those assigned by Council. This position leads the Corporation and Senior Directors, and is a key advisor to Council, providing vision and leadership, and informing Council on the operation and affairs of the Counties. The CAO must recommend policies, plans, and programs that will benefit The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville by being strategic, innovative, accountable and fiscally sound in the administration and coordination of the delivery of services and businesses in a manner that will ensure the sustainable utilization of human, financial and physical resources of the Counties.
Leading a talented team of staff, this position guides and inspires a dedicated workforce in their efficient delivery of municipal services and helps shape a workplace culture founded on the Counties Core Values of Accountability, Inclusivity, Respect and Improvement-Focused. The Chief Administrative Officer is a visible partner in the community and workplace and a champion of community engagement, development and sustainability. Closes: 6 February 2025 |
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| Niagara-on-the-Lake starts process again to hire new CAO Whitby launches new Advocating for our Town page to push the federal and provincial governments to recognize the challenges municipalities face and respond with the needed funding and support. Cambridge celebrates accomplishments with 2024 Year in Review. “Every day over 1,000 City employees work hard to improve the quality of life for Cambridge residents,” said City Manager David Calder. |
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There is a particular ache that comes when a friend turns against you. It is not the clean pain of a wound earned in battle, but something duller, heavier, like the slow rot of wood beneath your feet, unnoticed until you fall through. You trusted the plank to hold, and yet here you are, on your back, staring at the sky, wondering how you could have been so blind.
“False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade,” wrote Christian Nestell Bovee. And there is truth in that. There are friends who stand only in fair weather, who share in your laughter but vanish when the clouds gather. You learn, in the hardest way, that not all hands offered in camaraderie are steady.
The first urge is anger, a roaring thing in the belly. You want to strike back, to return wound for wound. But here, you must remember the wisdom of Confucius: “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” Resentment is a heavy thing to carry, and in the end, it is you who suffers for bearing it too long.
So what does one do when they have been betrayed? Grieve first. Allow the quiet mourning of what was lost. Then, take a deep breath, stand, and walk forward. There is no dignity in wallowing, no sense in wearing bitterness like a badge. As Hemingway once wrote, “The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” And so you trust again—not blindly, not foolishly, but with the courage to know that life is richer when we open ourselves to others, despite the risk.
And the betrayer? Let them go. Let them sink into the shadows from which they came. The world has a way of setting things right in the end. |
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The Canadian Collaborative Procurement Initiative (CCPI) helps governments increase their buying power and also to generate economic benefits for suppliers. The initiative shares federal procurement tools with provincial and territorial governments, municipalities, academic institutions, the schools and hospitals (MASH) sector and other eligible organizations.
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Tuscon cuts congestion by 46 percent with AI The system is part of a broader AI mobility platform deployed across North America. It integrates AI-driven software with real-time traffic data processing to optimise signal timing at both individual intersections and city-wide networks. Similar AI-based traffic solutions are being implemented in other cities, including Vancouver, where the University of British Columbia has paired the system with Rogers Communications’ 5G network.
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