The Ontario government has awarded the contract for the functional programming of a new, state-of-the-art Emergency Preparedness and Response Headquarters, which will also serve as the future home of Ontario Corps. At the functional programming stage of planning, prior to the actual design of the facility, its specific functions, activities and operational requirements are determined. Strategically located on 17 acres near Toronto Pearson Airport and major 400 series highways, this facility will be equipped with cutting-edge technology needed to protect Ontario as the 24/7, year-round emergency command centre. This new headquarters and emergency command centre will be purpose-built to withstand all hazards, with state-of-the-art facilities to bring faster, smarter and more coordinated support to communities across the province.
In 2025, Ontario Corps volunteers contributed more than 6,000 hours delivering emergency relief, including supporting wildfire evacuations, erecting flood barriers, delivering wellness checks and providing meals in communities across the province. Likewise, Ontario’s Emergency Preparedness and Response teams led through one of the busiest and most demanding emergency flood and wildfire seasons on record in 2025. |
|
|
New Mentorship Match Up Launched |
|
|
The Mentorship Match-Up Program is back—and more focused than ever. This year’s mentor group is intentionally smaller, creating a more exclusive experience designed to give emerging leaders unparalleled access to some of the most respected minds in the sector.
Why join?
High-impact, one-to-one sessions — Spend a full hour with a mentor on topics that matter to you.
Choose your own path — Browse mentor profiles and book the leaders who align with your interests. Real career momentum — Past mentees have called this program “a rare networking opportunity,” and “the best way to learn what it takes to lead.”
Simple, streamlined platform — Book sessions, manage your schedule, and access mentor contact info anytime through your personalized My Sessions page. How it works:
Mentees can log into our exclusive mentorship platform and book meetings directly through mentors’ available dates. If your current email is not in the system, please let us know and we will quickly add you. |
| |
|
|
| The third webinar in our Mayor–CAO Relationship series,
Leadership’s Role in Fostering a Productive Workplace Culture is now available on our YouTube Page.
This session turns the spotlight on how the Mayor–CAO partnership shapes municipal workplace culture—and why strong, trust-based leadership has never mattered more.
Featured Panelists: Mayor Bryan Paterson and CAO Lanie Hurdle, City of Kingston plus Mayor Hilda MacDonald and CAO Peter Neufeld, Municipality of Leamington Moderator: Alicia Neufeld, AMO Senior Manager, Policy |
|
|
Mark Your calendars for these 2026 events:
April 17 Aspiring CAO Connections at the Walper Hotel in Kitchener, A full day session dedicated to those Aspiring CAOs thinking about the next steps on their journey to becoming a municipal CAO / City Manager. Only $25 members and $99 for non-members
March 25--5 May CAO Leadership Course. This five-day program offers sought-after leadership skills in areas like political acuity, digital transformation, and data analysis to thrive in your role or move up the career ladder. The 2026 cohort is 2/3 full so register soon to avoid disappointment.
May 20–22
Spring Workshop at the spectacular JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa. You can now register and reserve your room.
Oct 7-9 Fall Workshop at the Westin Trillium House Blue Mountain. |
|
|
|
Was relaxing in my chair the other day when I heard some rube on tv singing the praises of some supposed genius leader who helped cut aid to thousands of the most neediest before insisting on a trillion dollar pay package for himself. Give me a break.
Abraham Lincoln wrote that "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Power is a storm that strips the tree bare as what remains standing is what was rooted all along. Those who punch down betray insecurity masquerading as control. They cast long shadows because they fear losing the light.
True leaders build up. They understand, as Brené Brown writes, that “power over is not leadership; power with is.” To build up others is to strengthen the very system that sustains you. It means coaching rather than correcting, listening rather than lecturing, and refusing the cheap thrill of superiority in favor of the more durable work of shared growth. It is leadership that expands the room instead of narrowing it. John Stuart Mill once described this progress of character as “the moral cultivation of mankind.” Real leaders don’t collect followers; they cultivate more leaders. They plant trees whose shade they may never sit under, trusting that the forest matters more than the name carved into the bark.
When you encounter a leader who builds others up, the air around them feels sturdier. Decisions come from conviction, not ego. People speak more freely, not more cautiously. And we all benefit. |
|
|
Chief Information Officer |
At the City of Welland, we're continuously rewriting our story. Not because we don't know where we're going, but because we are constantly reaching for new heights, engaging in new approaches, and pursuing what many believe to be unattainable or too ambitious. We're not satisfied with the status quo, and we're certainly not satisfied with doing things a certain way simply because that's how they were done in the past.
We expect our population to increase to over 80,000 in the next 20 years, and serving a diverse, growing community requires strategic thinkers, norm breakers, and passionate civil servants. In Niagara, Welland's growth leads every other municipality, and the City is becoming the region's heartbeat.
So, we invite you to author your chapter and contribute to the overall body of work the City of Welland is creating. At the City of Welland, your ideas are nurtured, your input is invited, a healthy work-life balance is available, and most importantly, your voice will make a difference.
Under the direction of the General Manager of Corporate and Enterprise Services, the Chief Information Officer provides strategic direction for the City’s Information Services function. The position is responsible for executing the City’s IT Strategic Plan, including advancing digital services for residents, improving internal business systems and processes, modernizing technology infrastructure and strengthening the City’s cybersecurity posture. The CIO works closely with departments and senior leadership to align technology with organizational priorities and to drive continuous improvement and innovation across the corporation.
View a detailed job description and apply by visiting: https://www.welland.ca/Careers.asp
Salary: $153,255 - $179,287 (2026 rates)
Closes: Friday, 9 January 2026, at 4:00pm
|
|
|
The Municipality of Sioux Lookout is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Public Works Manager to lead the delivery of essential community services. From roads and water to waste management and transit, this role plays a key part in keeping Sioux Lookout running safely, smoothly, and sustainably. As a hands-on leader, you’ll guide a dedicated team, manage critical infrastructure, and help shape the long-term success of our Public Works operations. If you’re a motivated professional with strong technical expertise and a passion for public service, we want to hear from you.
What You’ll Do
Oversee the daily operations of roads, water distribution, wastewater collection, waste management, and transit services. Lead and mentor a skilled team, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and collaboration. Manage operating and capital budgets and ensure responsible use of municipal resources. Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental legislation and standards. Coordinate maintenance programs, inspections, and effective use of equipment and materials. Collaborate with the Fleet Management Specialist on heavy equipment utilization. Lead emergency response activities related to municipal infrastructure. Identify opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and service improvement. Prepare reports and provide updates to the CAO and Council. Build strong working relationships with residents, contractors, and external agencies.
Closes: 11 December 2025 |
|
|
The Toronto Region Board of Trade's new paper, Priced Out: The High Cost of Development Charges, argues that Ontario cannot meet its housing or economic-growth ambitions with a municipal financing system built for a different era. Municipalities are increasingly dependent on DCs as other funding tools have eroded; yet rising DCs make new housing less attainable and weaken the very growth the province is trying to accelerate. To unlock housing supply, maintain infrastructure, and keep communities competitive, Ontario needs a modern, predictable, and fair growth-funding framework five calls to action It makes the following 5 Calls to Action to counter this situation:
- Modernize the Development Charges Act
- Remove Water and Wastewater Costs from DCs
- Upload Transit Related DCs to Senior Level Governments
- Expand Municipal Financing Tools
- Rebuild Federal and Provincial Infrastructure Partnerships
|
|
|
Organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing racial bias in the workplace, not only as part of their commitment to equity and inclusion, but also as part of their legal obligation to prevent and respond to discrimination under human rights legislation.
An important distinction in these conversations is recognizing that being anti-racist is different from being non-racist. A non-racist individual typically maintains a neutral stance and is not actively engaged in issues of race. While this might seem harmless, it overlooks how inaction can contribute to the continuation of systemic racism. In contrast, an anti-racist actively challenges racist attitudes, policies, and structures, working to dismantle systemic oppression and promote equity. This means confronting personal biases, acknowledging racial disparities, and committing to daily, intentional action. The good news is that these are choices we can make moment to moment, and situation to situation.
The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has released a toolkit, The BRAVE guide to race and inclusive conversations at work, designed to support a wide range of difficult conversations, whether related to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or other equity-related topics. |
|
|
A helpful acronym for your AI prompts from our friends at Microsoft and KPMG: |
|
|
OMAA: Connecting CAOs, Strengthening Municipalities You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for the OMAA newsletter.
Was this e-mail forwarded to you? Sign up. Connect with us on: |
|
|
|
