10 April 2025

Provincial News

The Province is proposing to Expand Strong Mayor Powers to 169 Additional Municipalities as of 1 May 2025 to "help deliver on provincial priorities, such as building more homes, transit and other infrastructure across Ontario."

Currently, there are 47 heads of council with strong mayor powers. The list of those 47 plus the additional 169 is available in the backgrounder.

Interestingly, this comes in the same week as the City of Orillia Mayor quashed hiring using strong mayor powers, appoints from within.triggering four city councillors to pen an open letter to Minister Flack decrying the granting of strong mayor powers and their deployment in this manner.

OMAA has requested a meeting with Minister Flack to discuss Strong Mayor expansion, liability risks, and potential Codes of Conduct legislation.

It is expected that the Province will re-introduce Code of Conduct legislation during this sitting of parliament. 

OMAA maintains this is a great opportunity to strengthen the framework laid by Bill 241 by addressing the following: 

• Affirming that Council operates within a workplace and that all Employment Standards Act requirements apply, so that worker protections can and should be accessed to prevent workplace violence, harassment and discrimination.
• Standardization of municipal codes of conduct is a good idea if that Code is developed by knowledgeable individuals very familiar with municipal law and the realities of local  government. The Integrity Commissioner of Ontario (ICO) focuses on provincial issues so is likely not the best agency to develop a municipal code.
• Integrity Commissioners qualifications/expectations should be standardized.
• Members of Council, staff, and local boards should have to undergo mandatory anti-harassment and discrimination training within the first quarter after election. Section 35 of the Community Safety and Policing Act is a good example to emulate as is the extensive training provided to police service boards under that act. 
• There should be a duty to report and a confidential process for handling complaints set out in the Code of Conduct.  Adding a layer of investigation and reporting from the IC to the ICO is redundant and will make the entire process more time-consuming, litigious, and expensive.
• A range of penalties that escalates and reflects the severity of the situation at issue must be implemented. Councils should not vote the issue(s) on principle, let alone requiring a next to impossible unanimous vote. There are several better models to emulate including: (a) decision by a Superior Court judge as under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, (b) the model put forward by the Ministry of Education for school boards, or (c) ICs should be able to apply to a judge to remove a sitting member in the most egregious cases if recommended by an Integrity Commissioner.
• Guarantee fair and independent investigation of complaints. Members of Councils should also have access to appropriate support and indemnification.

OMAA is very pleased that AMO in a recent letter to Minister Flack is urging the government to reintroduce code of conduct legislation with two recommended amendments: removal of office vote requirement should be adjusted from unanimous to a supermajority (2/3 vote) and the legislation should include a progressive range of discipline options for integrity commissioners. While we prefer not having the matter be subject to a vote at council, AMO's supermajority suggestion would make removal possible.

Empowering Transitions – New Supports & How You Can Help Your Colleagues Thrive

Are you ready to help your colleagues navigate the challenges of transition with confidence and support?

Are you prepared for a potential transition?

Whether it's a political shift, organizational change, or personal milestone, the transition period can be a daunting time for many. But, with the right tools and knowledge, we can not just survive, but thrive. Join us for a short webinar on new supports for members in transition on 15 April (12:30--1:00 pm) to discover practical ways you can be an invaluable resource to your colleagues during this critical time.

There is no cost to register -- login instructions will be provided 2 days before the event.

What will be covered:

• Practical tools for peers – Equip yourself with actionable strategies to offer guidance and encouragement during times of transition.
• Strategies for Transition–  Our new Bridge the Gap guidebook has a helpful checklist, plus great advice for job searches and interviews.
• OMAA supports – Quick breakdown of revised and new supports specifically for MITs.

Federal Election 2025

The next federal election will take place on 28 April 2025.

For those that like to follow polls you can see the latest at CBC's Poll Tracker

Elections Canada has launched ElectoFacts to help Canadian electors easily check whether information about elections is true or not. It also informs electors about how federal elections are run and about the safeguards that protect them. The narratives in this register include some of the main false ideas or beliefs that Elections Canada has seen when trying to understand the information online on federal elections. If you see information about elections that you think might be inaccurate or misleading please email them at electofaits-electofacts@elections.ca.

US Tariffs and Buy Local Strategies

Minister of Energy Stephen Lecce announced a Procurement Restriction Policy that applies to all public sector entities including the designated Broader Public Sector organizations. This Procurement Restriction Policy is designed to restrict United States (U.S.) businesses from accessing public sector procurements in Ontario. A U.S. business means a supplier, manufacturer or distributor of any business structure (includes a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or other business structure) that:

• has its headquarters or main office located in the U.S., and
• has fewer than 250 full-time employees in Canada at the time of the applicable procurement process.

Procuring from a U.S. business is allowed only when: (a) a U.S. business is the only viable source for the good/service, and (b) the procurement cannot be delayed.For clarity, both of these conditions must be met.

The Ontario government is providing approximately $11 billion in relief and support for workers and businesses as it protects the province’s economy from economic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs. As a first step to support workers and businesses, the province is:

• Deferring select provincially administered taxes for six months from April 1, 2025, to October 1, 2025, giving businesses and job creators approximately $9 billion worth of cash flow they need to keep workers employed and weather the economic turmoil.
• Through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), issuing a further $2 billion rebate for safe employers to support businesses and help keep workers on the job, in addition to the previous $2 billion rebate distributed in March.

AMO wrote to the Premier highlighting how investments in municipal infrastructure could protect vital construction jobs while driving future productivity and has released a new report that builds the business case for investments in community housing as a response to tariffs.  To help inform policy discussions around banning US suppliers from participating in government procurement, AMO conducted a survey of municipalities regarding non-construction procurement: a summary of the survey results.

Export Development Canada (EDC) Tariffs 101: What are tariffs and how do they impact international trade?

Government of Canada's Supports for Business

Competition Bureau guidelines to help businesses ensure their “Made in Canada” and “Product of Canada” claims are truthful.

The Oh Canada Tech Directory, by DMZ is a go-to web page for governments, ministries, universities and businesses to find the best Canadian tech companies to meet their needs. 

The Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) Shop Main Street Canada. Support Local campaign urges Canadians to embrace a local-first mindset.

Municipal CAO Education and Career Trajectory Survey

OMAA is pleased to be working with Thomas Thayer (Municipality of Bayham CAO and Western University MPA Student) on an important study focusing on education and career trajectories of Municipal CAOs in Ontario.

We would like to invite you to take part in an important confidential survey of current CAOs/Deputy CAOs/equivalent senior administrators across the province. The study is led by the Western University Local Government Program. Information received through the survey will be provided to OMAA to improve our professional development and collaboration options.

We invite you to complete the survey now. This will take about 10 minutes. Participation is optional. Completion of the survey implies consent to use your information for research purposes only.

This survey is strictly confidential, and your answers will be used for research purposes only. The survey will be live until      25 April 2025. Click on the link below to take the survey.

Job Board

Director Strategy Transformation and Organizational Performance

Richmond Hill

Reporting to the City Manager, the Director of Strategy, Transformation and Organizational Performance is responsible for administration and oversight of corporate strategic planning, continuous improvement programs, and organizational performance; as well as intergovernmental relations, grants and special projects identified by the City Manager and Executive Leadership Team. The Director will provide leadership, communication, expert guidance, as well as financial direction for the daily functions of the Strategy and Transformation division.  In this role, the Director will champion corporate strategic planning to include: the organization's long-term strategic plan; internal corporate strategic roadmap for improvement as well as corporate performance monitoring, and organizational reviews.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Lead S&T team including budget development and tracking and team management to ensure resources are managed effectively to deliver service and goals of the area

Strategic planning process and outcomes and organizational monitoring of progress in achieving the goals of the strategic plan

Organizational Grants program to ensure maximum success in winning eligible grants and annual reporting of the program Manage relationships with other levels of government including First Nations and provide key updates to staff and council of emerging issues

Work with Commissioners and Directors to identify and enhance organization wide management governance including goals, work planning and performance measures program

Work directly with City Manager and Commissioners to deliver organization wide change initiatives

Plan and deliver core service reviews utilizing in house or external expertise

Lead with / for Divisions the implementation of accepted recommendations from core service reviews and track change through performance measures 

Key Performance Indicators for the organization

Lead ELT Performance Huddles including analysis of results and make recommendations

Deliver strategies affecting the entire corporation in conjunction with Commissioner and Directors responsible 

Develop corporate wide Change Management processes for corporate wide change

Deliver organization wide Continuous Improvement Program including templates, method and tracking

Deliver and administer Lean training across organization including project delivery

Tracking and reporting on overall improvements and status of deliverables and goals

Manage external review process as well as tracking and reporting of findings status

Champion business method improvements across organization Act as a resource to all leadership in the organization regarding best practice in business delivery

Represent the corporation with other municipalities to continue to evolve the practice of strategic alignment and continuous improvement

Develop strategic linkages from long term plans and strategies directly to day-to-day service and operational impacts

Lead Director’s Leadership Community with appropriate agendas and meeting management 

Provide senior leadership and functional unit management team with updates on project status, key metrics, issues and risks 

Rate of Pay $166,114.00 -$192,680.00 

Closes:  20 April 2025 

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

City of Stratford

Join the City of Stratford, a thriving cultural epicentre in southwestern Ontario, as our Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)!

We are seeking a dynamic, principled leader to drive our City’s strategic initiatives and core service delivery, in a community renowned for its manufacturing and tourism sectors.

As the senior advisor to Council, you will ensure that directives and decisions of Council are effectively implemented and managed. You will be the senior liaison with provincial offices and other municipalities. You will also lead the strategic planning process and manage the senior leadership team.

Why should you consider Stratford as your next opportunity for growth? Small City Charm with Big City Amenities –Stratford offers a small city feel combined with award-winning dining, cultural opportunities such as the Stratford Festival Theatre and access to high-quality healthcare, ensuring an excellent quality of life. Once in a Generation Impact – provide strategic direction on the Grand Trunk Renewal Project, a transformative initiative to preserve and revitalize Stratford’s historic site.

Flexibility – a hybrid work from home policy allows for work-life balance.

Competitive Compensation – (currently under review) with comprehensive benefits and OMERS pension. 

Closes:  Friday, 25 April 2025 at 4:30 p.m. 

In the News

Township of South-West Oxford CAO Mary Ellen Greb will retire at the end of the year. Deputy CAO Julie Middleton will be stepping into the CAO position. 

Concise answers to five crucial questions facing the municipal sector in the Evolution of Public Service: A Conversation with Michael Fenn

Municipality of Chatham-Kent Director of Legal Services Dave Taylor has been promoted as the municipality's first ever Deputy Chief Administrative Officer 

Durk Vanderwerff was appointed Acting CAO of Middlesex County as of April 22.

Municipal Internship Program

The AMCTO-Mitacs Municipal Innovation Internship Program (MIIP) is an application-based program that matches Ontario municipal governments with post-secondary students studying in Ontario to work on innovation and/or research projects over an eight (8)-month period (January-August 2026).

This collaboration is designed to address gaps in innovation and/or research while providing students with invaluable exposure to life in municipal government in communities across Ontario.

Applications for municipalities to submit their project proposals opened March 7 with an application deadline of May 9, 2025. For more information, please go to https://www.amcto.com/membership-municipal-careers/internship-program

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