Board of Directors and Strategic Plan | |
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The Board of Directors met on 20 June in Toronto to discuss a range of issues. Check out the June Meeting Summary for more details. |
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The Board has successfully achieved all of the relevant objectives outlined in our current Strategic Plan—a full year ahead of schedule. This accomplishment reflects our shared commitment to strengthening our Association and serving our members effectively.
Looking ahead, we’ll begin work this fall on a new Strategic Plan. As we prepare for this next phase, we want to hear from you. Your ideas, insights, and priorities are vital to shaping a plan that reflects the needs and aspirations of our membership. |
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Did you miss last week's Crisis Communication in Action: The Mayor-CAO Dynamic During Disasters webinar?
No problem. You can watch the entire video on the OMAA YouTube channel.
The second in the Mayor-CAO Relationship Series, this discussion focused to what happens when disasters hit and 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? |
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Join us at the 2025 Fall Workshop from 19-21 October (Sunday to Tuesday) at Queen's Landing in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Monday Night event features an offsite dinner at falls-adjacent Queen Victoria Place plus the Niagara Parks Power Station at Night experience. This is included in most tickets.
Pre-Workshop Events include Golf at the Royal Niagara Golf Course ($99) and a Niagara Glen Guided Hike & Butterfly Conservatory Trip ($49). Registration is now open. You can book hotel rooms via the Queens Landing page Have a great new municipal policy or project? Present it as one of our Rapid Fire and Inspire sessions. |
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OMAA is now accepting applications for the 2025 Maureen McCauley Bursary.
Thanks to our partner AMO, we can now offer two $5,000 bursaries annually to support the education of future municipal government leaders. The Bursary is available to any student in a post secondary program meeting the following criteria: - Is a student residing in Ontario
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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.
- Has submitted a completed Application Form before end of day 30 September 2025.
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Join the Education Committee | |
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| We are recruiting members for our Education Committee. This committee will address the following strategic plan objectives: Objective 1.3 Explore requirements and establish the terms for providing OMAA Members with education credits related to participation in OMAA professional development events. Objective 6.4 Begin exploratory discussions regarding the development of a CAO designation/ certification and the appropriate resources that would be required to support.
The Committee is composed of up to seven members and no less than three members. A majority of members of the Committee constitutes a quorum. The Education Committee will determine its schedule but is expected to meet remotely 3-4 times a year.
Click on the email button below to indicate your interest in joining this committee before 15 July 2025. |
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Town of The Blue Mountains |
Located along the breathtaking landscape of the Niagara Escarpment and the sparkling shores of Georgian Bay, the Town of The Blue Mountains is renowned worldwide as the ultimate four-season playground delivering a lifestyle that's as diverse as its landscapes. Whether you're interested in laying down new roots, seeking adventure or are interested in relaxation and wellness, The Blue Mountains has it all.
With over 9,300 full-time residents, 2.5 million annual visitors, and an extensive part-time and seasonal population, The Blue Mountains provides a quintessential small town charm and experience, with all of the services and amenities needed for a sought-after lifestyle. The local economy is a vibrant blend of small towns thriving on agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, recreation, and a strong, unmatched entrepreneurial spirit with a vibrant local business community.
As an organization, the Town is committed to its mission of providing top-tier municipal services while driving economic growth, fostering a strong sense of community well-being and delivering a high-quality of life for residents. Guided by Council’s strategic leadership, the Town is innovative, forward-looking and driven for success to make The Blue Mountains the best community in Ontario.
COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Increase access to healthcare Prioritize infrastructure replacement for future growth Support local businesses and key economic sectors Increase access to attainable housing Manage community development responsibly Ensure accountability and transparency in decision-making Protect the natural environment Prioritize sustainability initiatives Improve communication and customer service POSITION SUMMARY
The CAO is accountable to Council, delivering strategic leadership and guidance for efficiently managing the Town's portfolios, departments, programs, and services in line with Council's policies and plans. As the sole employee of Council, the CAO is responsible for aligning Council's values and priorities with the administrative resources needed to achieve operational objectives.
The CAO operationalizes Council’s vision and corporate strategies to deliver results, while inspiring and motivating staff to effectively address challenges and implement necessary changes. As a prominent community leader and partner, the CAO champions community engagement and develops and maintains positive relationships with Council, staff, and stakeholders, thereby promoting a constructive and positive workplace culture.
The salary range for this position is $203,787 to $238,392 annually. The Town offers a comprehensive benefits package, including extended health benefits, pension, flexibility, and generous time off.
Closes: 1 August 2025 |
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Executive Director, Housing Secretariat |
Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. Consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities, we are a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture.
About the Role
The City of Toronto is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the Executive Director of the Housing Secretariat. Reporting to the Deputy City Manager, Development and Growth Services, the Executive Director will lead the development and execution of Toronto’s 10-Year Housing Plan. This critical leadership role is responsible for championing the City’s housing vision—particularly across the spectrum of supportive, transitional, and affordable housing—and for fostering innovation and progress in partnership with internal divisions, external stakeholders, and all levels of government. The Executive Director will provide high-level strategic advice to senior municipal leadership, including the City Manager, Deputy City Managers, and City Council, helping to shape and implement policies that meet Toronto’s growing and evolving housing needs.
Key Responsibilities Set the strategic direction and oversee the operations of the Housing Secretariat, aligning divisional goals with Council priorities and corporate strategies. Collaborate with the Executive Director of the Housing Development Office and other City leaders to implement the 10-Year Housing Plan, including major initiatives like Housing Now and the Open Door Affordable Housing Program. Provide expert policy and program advice to the City Manager, Deputy City Managers, Mayor, and Council; represent the City in housing-related intergovernmental relations and advocacy. Lead and coordinate cross-divisional housing policy development, service planning, and program administration. Foster strategic partnerships across City divisions, agencies, community-based organizations, and other levels of government. Ensure effective financial stewardship, including annual budgeting, financial planning, and forecasting for housing investments. Lead and develop a high-performing, multidisciplinary team that promotes continuous improvement, innovation, and a strong service culture. Represent the City publicly in media and stakeholder engagements related to housing initiatives. Promote a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace in compliance with Occupational Health and Safety regulations and corporate policies.
Review of candidates will begin 4 July 2025 |
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The Township of Springwater is a progressive, mixed urban-rural municipality located in the heart of Simcoe County, approximately 100 kilometres north of Toronto and neighbouring the City of Barrie. Home to a population of 22,700 and growing. Springwater features a blend of thriving urban settlements and a prosperous agricultural sector. The Township includes eight settlement areas: Midhurst, Elmvale, Snow Valley, Centre Vespra, Minesing, Anten Mills, Phelpston, and Hillsdale. Amalgamated in 1994, it is one of sixteen lower-tier municipalities within the greater County of Simcoe. Known for its scenic hiking trails, rich agricultural amenities, vibrant urban centres and the purest groundwater in Canada, Springwater offers residents a healthy lifestyle, a strong sense of community and one of Ontario's largest municipally owned forest networks, with a wealth of outdoor recreation opportunities. The Township is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, authentic workplace where employee wellness, learning, and collaboration are prioritized. With flexible work options and a supportive environment, Springwater is a place where you can find balance and grow your career.
Reporting to the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is responsible for the strategic leadership and administration of the affairs of the Township in accordance with the objectives approved by the Mayor. Acts as the key advisor and liaison to the Mayor and Council. As the most senior appointed official, the CAO delivers on the Strategic Plan and is responsible for all human, physical and financial resources of the Township, attending Council/Committee meetings, and formulating and implementing policy, service level. The CAO leads and directs the Township’s Executive Team, to ensure effective and efficient service delivery that is aligned with Springwater Council’s strategic priorities and assumes full responsibility for implementing Township policies, decisions, and programs.
The ideal candidate is a motivational, values-driven, and team-oriented leader with a strong history of success in municipal government or a comparable business setting. Bringing outstanding communication skills, political insight, and a talent for building partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders – all while motivating staff and upholding the highest standards of customer service. The ideal candidate will lead a skilled team, within a unionized and non-unionized environment, inspiring a committed workforce and cultivating a workplace culture centered on service excellence, innovation, collaboration, inclusion and diversity.
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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.
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.
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Sometimes when I have doubts about myself I like to sit on the grass and crank out Frank Sinatra's My Way. An anthem for the self-assured delivered with style and soul. But what does it really mean to do it your way?
Authenticity isn’t about performative honesty or radical transparency. It’s not a brand. It’s not about being liked. It’s about alignment between what we believe and how we behave, between our inner monologue and our outer voice.
Jean-Paul Sartre argued that this ability to act in accordance with your essence is what makes you free. “Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself.” Authenticity is a choice to take responsibility for your own life script: to write it, revise it, and, if necessary, tear it up and start again.
When you write like yourself, lead like yourself, or speak like yourself, you give others permission to do the same. You disrupt the cycle of mimicry. You remind people that being original doesn’t mean being perfect. It means being brave. So yes—the path is narrow, and sometimes lonely. But as Sinatra sang, “For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught.” In the end, doing it your way isn’t about vanity. It’s about vision. |
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Our food policy imagination has been largely confined to subsidies, zoning incentives, and casual price monitoring. We also tried the classic Canadian tactic of knocking on international doors and asking very nicely for prices to freeze or come down.
But what if we went further? What if we treated food access not just as a supply-chain challenge or a matter of affordability, but as infrastructure: as essential to community resilience as transit or libraries? Is it time for A New Kind of Corner Store? |
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OMAA: Connecting CAOs, Strengthening Municipalities You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for the OMAA newsletter.
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