Ontario Connecting Ring of Fire with New Transmission Line
The Greenstone Transmission Line will be a new 230?kilovolt line extending from the existing East?West Tie near Nipigon Bay to a new station near Aroland First Nation, with an in?service target of 2032. The new line will be developed in partnership with several First Nations, who will have opportunities for meaningful equity participation and local procurement, positioning the project as a step toward economic reconciliation and community?led growth. It should also improve reliability and capacity for multiple northern communities in the Greenstone region
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Great news! We've booked Steve Patterson for the Spring Workshop.
He’s performed his comedy all across North America and all around the world in places like Australia, Ireland, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Steve has taped national television specials each year since 2002 including numerous Just For Laughs galas and is the host of the hilarious CBC Radio show The Debaters . Twice named Canada’s Best Male Stand-Up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Steve has also taken his award-winning humour to the literary world with The Book of Letters I Didn’t Know Where to Send. Described by best-selling author Terry Fallis as “hilarious, thought-provoking and more often than not, written on the bedrock of truth, His The Pattersonian newsletter has some gold nuggets of wisdom, including a recent post on return to workplaces mandates.
This keynote is in addition to great programming on red tape reduction, service corporations, homelessness, succession planning, and much more. And on Thursday evening we’ll set sail on an elegant Muskoka Steamship for a dinner cruise across the scenic lakes.
Early Bird ends 1 February so register today! |
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Are you thinking about becoming a CAO one day or looking to sharpen your axe?
Join us for in Kitchener on 17 April for a jam-packed day filled with great advice, networking, and hands-on workshop segments. Sessions to include the following: - Pathways to Becoming a CAO: lessons learned from experienced CAOs.
- Things Councils look for in a new CAO and Recruiter Q&A
- Positioning to Move Forward: Contracts, Mentoring, and Building your Brand
- Fine-tuning your LinkedIn Profile
- Development and delivery of your personal elevator pitch.
Cost: $25 members, $99 for non-members |
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Join our Panel at the Workshop |
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Succession and transition planning for CAOs works best when it is treated as a multi?year, deliberate process that protects business continuity, supports council, and sets employees up to thrive well after the CAO has left. Sometimes, however, life comes at you fast and you need to get things in order in one year or less.
We are looking to host a panel discussion at the upcoming Spring Workshop on “Finishing Well” — practical steps in the last 5, 2, and 1 year of a CAO’s tenure to support succession, transition, and organizational continuity as well as "emergency" scenarios.
If you have led a planned transition, developed an internal successor, managed an interim CAO arrangement, or introduced a formal succession framework in your municipality, please consider volunteering to share your experience. Please email Scott with a very brief outline of your experience with this issue. |
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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is exploring the development of an Equity Assessment Tool, and we would greatly appreciate learning from the experiences, approaches, and resources used by other municipalities. Has your municipality developed or adopted an equity tool such as an equity lens or framework to support equity audits of policies, services, programs, or physical spaces, or to assess the equity impacts of proposed changes?
Please email Renee Handsor, Executive Coordinator to the CAO, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, using the button below. |
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Municipal leaders often face the sunken cost fallacy in tangible ways: stalled infrastructure contracts, digital system upgrades that never quite launch, or policy pilots that outlive their evidence. No one sets out to defend waste. But as Kierkegaard observed, “Man is condemned to choice.” Once a path is chosen publicly, every step away from it can feel like failure.
The irony is that rational governance lie not in doubling down, but in knowing when to stop digging. Plato wrote, “The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself.” In municipal life, that victory is the discipline to pause, assess, and change course when circumstances evolve. The best leaders balance respect for sunk effort with stewardship for future value. They ask does this still serve our residents today, or are we protecting our reputation more than our results? But do you also apply this same discipline to yourself? I was chewing on Morgan Housel's The Psychology of Money book the other day when this idea hit me hard:
Sunk costs--anchoring decision to past efforts that can't be refunded--are a devil in a world where people change over time. They make our future selves prisoners to our past, different, selves. It's the equivalent of a stranger making major life decisions for you.
How many of us are stuck in routines that no longer serve us? Are we better off abandoning actions and maybe relationships that no longer speak to our authentic self? Given we continue to change and evolve then surely our future decisions should honor who we are now, not who we once were. Yet many of our systems reward persistence over reflection. We applaud grit, but sometimes grit is just stubbornness in nicer clothes. The real courage lies in pausing, acknowledging that yesterday’s logic no longer fits today’s life, and choosing again. Letting go isn’t weakness; it’s a recalibration of identity.
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United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry |
Stretching from the banks of the St. Lawrence River to the heart of Eastern Ontario’s agricultural landscape, the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry is a region shaped by resilience, collaboration, and a deep sense of community. SDG is home to vibrant villages, progressive rural industries, and a growing network of regional partnerships that are redefining what rural prosperity can look like. As the Counties continue to modernize services, strengthen economic development, and support thriving communities, SDG is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer who can bring strategic clarity, steady leadership, and a genuine commitment to public service. This is not a role for someone who simply manages operations, it is an opportunity for a leader who sees the potential in people, places, and partnerships, and who is ready to guide a region with both heritage and ambition.If you are energized by meaningful work, inspired by the impact of strong local government, and motivated by the chance to shape a region’s future, SDG offers a rare and rewarding leadership opportunity.
Position Profile
Reporting directly to County Council, the CAO serves as the Counties’ most senior administrative leader and primary policy advisor. The CAO provides strategic guidance, ensures the efficient administration of all municipal operations, and leads the Management Team in implementing Council’s policies, strategies, and objectives. This role is responsible for organizational leadership, departmental oversight, and the development of Directors across all County departments.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Governance Advise and support Council in developing and implementing policies, strategies, and objectives. Attend Council and Committee meetings to ensure alignment with corporate policies and strategic direction. Lead the Management Team and coordinate departmental activities to support Council priorities. Organizational & Human Resource Management Oversee all municipal operations and ensure effective implementation of Council directives. Provide guidance to Directors and support their professional development. Lead human resources functions, including labour relations, recruitment, performance management, and compliance with employment legislation. Policy, Legislative & Strategic Oversight Monitor and interpret legislation, policy trends, and economic factors affecting the County. Recommend updates to corporate policies and management practices. Perform Deputy Clerk duties when required. Communications & External Relations Lead or support communications to ensure understanding of County initiatives among Council, staff, local municipalities, and the public. Serve as a spokesperson with the Warden or designated Council members. Maintain strong relationships with local municipalities, boards, agencies, provincial ministries, elected officials, and community groups. Financial Leadership Identify and pursue grants, partnerships, and alternative revenue opportunities. Provide leadership in budget development and ensure effective financial oversight across departments. Health & Safety Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and corporate policies.
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Municipality of Kincardine |
Whether you are drawn by stunning Lake Huron sunsets, vibrant festivals, or a lively lakeside downtown, the Municipality of Kincardine offers a lifestyle that is hard to resist. Home to more than 11,000 residents, Kincardine is an active, welcoming, and growing community that offers a compelling balance of professional opportunities and relaxed small-town charm. Located along the shores of Lake Huron at the base of the Bruce Peninsula, Kincardine is internationally recognized as the home of Bruce Power, the largest nuclear generating station in the world and a cornerstone of Ontario’s clean-energy system. As a host municipality to this globally significant facility, Kincardine plays a critical role in provincial and national energy security and benefits from a strong, resilient economy anchored by the energy sector, including nuclear generation, energy services, skilled trades, and major infrastructure investment.
Beyond energy, Kincardine is known for its beautiful beaches, scenic trails, rich agricultural roots, and some of the best views and sunsets in Ontario. Residents often speak of the exceptional sense of community, the strength of volunteerism, and the deep pride that defines the area. From the beloved summer pipe band that fills downtown with music to the annual Scottish Festival, Kincardine is a place where heritage, community spirit, and economic vitality come together.
Conveniently situated within two hours of major urban centres and the United States border, Kincardine blends connection with calm—offering professional opportunity, quality of life, and something to enjoy in every season. As an employer, the Municipality of Kincardine is committed to attracting and supporting people who bring energy, respect, and passion to their work. Employees enjoy competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits and pension options, professional development support, a supportive and healthy work environment, access to an Employee Assistance Program, and a strong focus on work-life balance. Above all, you will join a team of dedicated and collaborative professionals who are proud to serve this remarkable and strategically important community.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) will provide strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the Municipality of Kincardine. The CAO will oversee all municipal departments (96 full-time and 91 part-time staff, 54 volunteer fire personnel), implement Council’s directions (as delegated), and ensure efficient, accountable, and transparent municipal operations. The CAO will serve as a key advisor to Council and the Mayor, support strategic initiatives, and lead continuous improvement, risk management, and organizational development. Reporting To: Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Kincardine in accordance with the Municipality of Kincardine’s Strong Mayor Powers Framework. Supervises: Director of Corporate Services, Director of Community Services, Director of Infrastructure and Development, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Fire Chief, Nuclear Project Coordinator, Executive Assistant – CAO.
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Use GMF funding to explore and implement clean energy solutions that work best for your community. Eligible projects include: Renewable energy systems—such as solar, wind and geothermal—that help stabilize energy prices and manage peak demand hours when combined with energy storage solutions. District energy systems that offer local control over heating and cooling, with the added benefit of being able to recover quickly after natural disasters.
Funding is open to municipalities and their partners. Learn more about GMF's Community Energy Systems funding offers. |
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You might want to take that ChatGPT search result with a grain (box?) of salt... |
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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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