the OMAA Observer

8 May 2025

Provincial News

 Ontario budget to be tabled 15 May 2025

 

The Ontario government has reintroduced code of conduct legislation now titled the Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 that would enable the creation of a new, standardized municipal code of conduct, an integrity commissioner inquiry process that would be consistent throughout the province and mandatory code of conduct training for members of council and certain local boards.

 

If passed, the changes would include a penalty of removing and disqualifying a member from office if they are in serious violation of the code. Removal and disqualification could only occur upon the recommendation of the municipal integrity commissioner, a concurring report from the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario, and a unanimous vote of council.

 

OMAA is reviewing the legislation and will provide a response soon. 

 

The Ontario government has reintroduced The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, which includes targeted measures to help support public safety near supervised consumption sites, crack down on auto theft and careless driving, enhance the tools police can use to manage sex offenders, tackle illegal cannabis sales and support access to justice. The government is also exploring measures to improve the collection of bail statistics as part of its ongoing calls for Criminal Code reform.

 

Building on recent legislation and community safety initiatives, the Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act will, if passed:

  • Carry through on the government’s previously announced commitment to protect children and families by prohibiting the operation of supervised consumption sites within 200 metres of a school, licensed child-care centre or EarlyON Child and Family Centre through the creation of the Community Care and Recovery Act, 2024
  • Require municipalities and local boards to seek provincial approval prior to making or supporting requests for new supervised consumption sites
  • Introduce new penalties for fraud related to vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and further combat careless driving through the Highway Traffic Act
  • Give police services more tools to monitor sex offenders and investigate sex crimes through Christopher’s Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000 and make individuals with active reporting requirements ineligible from legally changing their name, through the Change of Name Act
  • Support terrorism victims by amending the Limitations Act, 2002 to remove the limitation period for lawsuits under the federal Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act
  • Prohibit advertising and promoting the sale of illegal cannabis through the Cannabis Control Act, 2017

Sign up for a Mentorship Session

 

Are you ready to grow your career, build powerful connections, and gain insight from some of the brightest minds in your industry? The OMAA Mentorship Match Up is your opportunity to connect with a mentor or mentee who aligns with your goals, passions, and experience. Whether you're looking to give guidance or gain it, this dynamic program—powered by Mentorship Rocket—makes it easy and impactful.

 

Don't miss your chance to join a thriving network of professionals who believe in lifting as they climb. Matching is quick, simple, and designed to spark meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

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Mayor–CAO Webinar Series

Crisis Communication in Action: The Mayor-CAO Dynamic During Disasters
Co-hosted by AMO & OMAA
Time: 24 June 2025 at 12-1 pm
Building on the strong foundation laid in our first session—The Mayor-CAO Relationship: Building a Foundation for Success—AMO and OMAA invite you to the second event in this vital leadership series. We’re turning our focus to what happens when crisis strikes.

 

When disaster hits—be it flood, fire, pandemic, or cyberattack—the effectiveness of municipal communication can shape the trajectory of the response and community trust. At the heart of that communication: the Mayor and the CAO.

Join us for an engaging and timely discussion on how this leadership duo navigates the high-pressure environment of emergencies. Who speaks when? How do you ensure clarity, confidence, and community reassurance in the heat of the moment? What lessons did these leaders learn?

 

You’ll hear real-life experiences and lessons learned from municipal leaders who have weathered the storm—literally and figuratively.

What You’ll Gain:

  • A deeper understanding of the distinct and complementary roles of the Mayor and CAO in times of crisis
  • Insights into strategic communication practices that build public trust
  • Tools to strengthen your crisis leadership partnership before the next emergency
  • Reflections on maintaining morale and clarity inside your organization while addressing the public
  • Don’t wait for a crisis to test your communication strategy. Join AMO, OMAA, and your municipal peers to learn from those who’ve led under pressure.

Featured Panelists:

Mayor Nancy Alcock and CAO Denise Corry, Town of Huntsville

Mayo and CAO, TBD

 

Moderator:

Lindsay Jones, AMO Director of Policy

Did you miss the first installment Building a Foundation for Success?

 

Mayor Darrin Canniff and CAO Michael Duben from the Municipality of Chatham-Kent joined Mayor Lynn Dollin and CAO Oliver Jerschow from the Town of Innisfil to discuss defining roles & responsibilities, building trust through open communication, plus maintaining professionalism & neutrality.

 

Check it out on our YouTube Channel

 

Stay tuned for registration link for the second in the series: Crisis Communication in Action: The Mayor-CAO Dynamic During Disasters.

 

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday May 15 at 9:25 am during the Spring Workshop at the JW Marriott in Muskoka Lakes.

  • 3 Board members are standing for re-election
  • 2 new members have been put forward for election
  • OMAA posted another surplus in 2024, while launching a new CAO Leadership Course and additional resources for Aspiring CAOs

Read more in the Full AGM Package.

Job Board

CEO - Grand Erie Public Health

Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Brant County Health Unit

Lead the future of public health in Grand Erie—where legacy meets possibility.

Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) is one of Ontario’s newest public health organizations, established on January 1, 2025, through the voluntary merger of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and the Brant County Health Unit. Together, we’ve united two proud and respected legacy organizations to form a resilient, community-focused and people-powered health unit—enhancing our collective capacity to serve a growing and diverse population across urban, rural, and Indigenous communities.
Our story is just beginning. As we build this new organization from the ground up, we are guided by a shared purpose: to promote, protect, and enhance the health of our communities through equity, service excellence, and innovation. With nearly 200 dedicated staff, GEPH is well-positioned to deliver integrated, equitable, and forward-looking public health services that reflect the unique strengths and needs of the communities we serve. We are aligning cultures, systems, and services—with the full strength of our talented, passionate team behind us.

This is more than an integration. This is transformation—an opportunity to drive lasting, long-term change and embed excellence across every level of the organization.

Now, we’re seeking an inspiring and innovative leader to guide us through this once-in-a-generation period of change—as our next Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Opportunity: Inspire Our Future This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of public health at a foundational moment. As CEO, you will work in close partnership with the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) and report directly to the Board of Health. Together, you’ll champion the organization’s evolution, foster a high-performing and inclusive culture, and ensure that GEPH delivers exceptional, equitable programs and services across the region.

You will be more than an executive leader—you will be a unifier, a builder, and a visionary. You’ll lead the integration of programs, systems, and teams while nurturing a culture rooted in wellness, collaboration and community connection. Your leadership will help shape what public health can and should be—for this generation and the next.

Who You Are

You are a courageous, compassionate, and strategic leader with a proven track record of leading through complexity. You bring both the vision and the discipline to drive large-scale transformation, while centering staff and community voices in everything you do.

This is a leadership role with real impact. You’ll lead with strategy, serve with heart, and steward a bold vision for community health.  As CEO, you will:

Lead the continued integration of GEPH, shaping a shared organizational identity and culture

Collaboratively with the Medical Officer of Health, ensure that public health programs and services are delivered in accordance with Ministry requirements while effectively addressing the needs of the community.

Deliver on the Board’s strategic direction, aligning people, resources, and systems with purpose

Champion a workplace that supports staff well-being, engagement, and leadership at all levels

Build strong and trusted relationships with municipalities, Indigenous leaders, the Ministry of Health, and public health and community system partners

Oversee core administrative and corporate functions—finance, HR, risk, governance, and digital transformation

Ensure GEPH remains agile, accountable, and future-ready in an evolving health landscape 

More Info

Members In the News

Scugog Mayor returning key Strong Mayor Powers back to council, CAO

 

West Grey Mayor Opposes New ‘Strong Mayor’ Powers

 

Sincere Praise for outgoing CAO Marcia Wallace

 

Niagara-on-the-Lake accepts strong-mayor powers by 5-4 vote

 

Owen Sound Chooses Collaboration Over Strong Mayor Powers

 

Maureen Cosyn Heath named Mississauga's new Director of Transit.


 

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