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The Province is seeking feedback on proposed legislative changes to the Planning Act, City of Toronto Act, 2006, Building Code Act, 1992 and Municipal Act, 2001 through Bill 98, the proposed Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026.
The proposed changes include: - Changes to streamline and standardize municipal official plans
- Details of a standardized set of land use designations to be used in local official plans
- Prohibit Mandatory Municipal Enhanced Development Standards and Green Building Standards
- Minimum Lot Sizes
Feedback is due before 29 April 2026. |
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The Province is seeking feedback on Proposed amendments to the Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025 and consequential amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002. The proposed changes include: - Amendments to Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025
- Explicitly prohibiting private ownership in any new water and wastewater public corporation to maintain 100% public sector ownership.
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Supporting the continuation of existing contracts so they are not affected by a transfer to a new water and wastewater public corporation. This includes contracts such as employment or insurance, or a collective agreement.
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Clarifying that certain rights (such as successor, employment, and pay equity rights) are carried forward to a new water and wastewater public corporation. This would include regulation-making authority to help ensure continuity of services related to contracts and employees that are transferred to a new water and wastewater public corporation.
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Prohibiting the transfer of water and wastewater debt from Peel Region to the water and wastewater public corporation, while creating new regulation-making authority to enable future regulations to address all matters related to municipal debt.
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Amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA - MECP). Legislative amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 (SDWA) to clarify that drinking water systems owned by WWPCs constitute municipal drinking water systems and such that applicable SDWA provisions would apply to them.
Feedback is due before 29 April 2026. |
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Upper-Tier Leadership Dynamics: Navigating the CAO–Warden Relationship 5 May 2026 – 1:00 to 2:00 pm AMO and OMAA are teaming up again for a dynamic conversation exploring how County and Regional CAOs work with their Wardens and Regional Chairs to guide complex two-tier systems. This session dives into the unique governance dynamics of upper-tier municipalities—where political insight and administrative expertise intersect. Two CAO–Warden pairs will share firsthand perspectives on building effective relationships, aligning regional priorities, and strengthening collaboration across tiers, including how these relationships evolve amid legislative changes and in an election year. Panelists:
Warden Marcus Ryan and CAO Ben Addley of Oxford County plus Warden Bonnie Clark and CAO Sheridan Graham of Peterborough County |
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Election years bring a unique set of pressures for municipal leaders. Priorities must continue moving forward while future direction may be uncertain. Teams look for signals about what comes next, and leaders often feel the added responsibility of closing out the year strong while preparing their organizations for potential change.
For municipal leaders, managing stress, both their own and their team’s, while keeping people focused, engaged, and performing is a critical leadership skill.
OMAA and Career Joy are offering a free candid panel conversation during which experienced municipal leaders will share how they maintain resilience, support their teams, and sustain performance both personally and across their organizations through an election year.
Join Jacqueline Long, Head of Operational Effectiveness at the Town of Whitby, Shellee Fournier, CAO of the Township of Rideau Lakes, and Sonya Pritchard, CAO of the County of Dufferin as they discuss how to Build the Resilience Needed for Today’s Leadership Demands from 1-2 pm on Tuesday 12 May 2026.
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| The 2026 Spring Workshop runs from May 20–22 at the spectacular JW Marriott Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa.
We kick things off Wednesday with your choice of pre-workshop social experiences — the always-popular golf tournament or the scenic Bog to Bottle Tour at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery. Later, dive into the unveiling of our new strategic plan, connect during the Mix & Mingle Hour, and enjoy the evening at our Awards Dinner featuring acclaimed comedian, TV and radio personality, and author Steve Patterson. Remember -- there is a Thursday only option for those who cannot stay for the entire event. Full program is available here: Spring Workshop - Ontario Municipal Administrators Association
While the OMAA Room Block at the JW is full, you can book at one of the nearby accommodations: Muskoka Resorts Ontario | Ontario | Sherwood Inn or Muskoka Lakes Hotel | Downtown Port Carling Hotel
This event is made possible through the support of partners committed to the success of our communities. We extend our sincere thanks to Mosey & Mosey and Hydro One for their ongoing dedication to our events.
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Applaud - People in Public Service is a free membership association exclusive to those who are currently working or retired from public service in Ontario, including municipalities.
OMAA is encouraging our members to sign up and we've launched a contest as an extra incentive. Register by 30 April 2026 to be eligible for the prize. Why Join Applaud?
New members will also be able to register for any number of our upcoming programs and events, including monthly Mindshift + Movement sessions starting on May 7. You can find out more about Applaud here: https://applaudpublicservice.ca/ |
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Strategic Plan Objective #5 |
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The 2026-30 Strategic Plan Rising Together, Leading Forward has six major objectives with several actions related to each. This section will introduce one objective each week in advance of the Spring Workshop roundtable session. |
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Objective #5: Enhance Advocacy and Influence
This objective is about ensuring that the lived realities of executive leadership inform the decisions, frameworks, and sector-wide conversations that affect Ontario’s communities. By speaking with steadiness, integrity, and conviction, the Association can help shape an environment that allows leaders to thrive and communities to benefit.
Establish a government and sector-relations strategy rooted in principled contribution Develop a thoughtful, measured approach to engaging with provincial partners and sector stakeholders. This strategy will focus on offering insight, context, and guidance drawn from the depth of executive experience, positioning OMAA as a trusted reference point, not a political actor.
Create formal processes for ongoing dialogue and rapid response
Build mechanisms for timely input on emerging sector issues. These may include executive statements, briefing notes, or curated expert contributions that bring clarity and perspective to evolving situations affecting municipal executives.
Develop high-visibility thought leadership that elevates OMAA’s presence
Share ideas that illuminate the realities of executive leadership and model the integrity, steadiness, and courage it seeks to champion. This thought leadership will focus on what strong leadership requires. |
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Magawa, a Tanzanian-born African giant pouched rat, recently honored with a statue in Cambodia, sniffed out over a hundred landmines in his lifetime. He weighed less than a pineapple and changed more lives than most generals.
“Appearances,” wrote Plato, “are a world of shadows; reality lies elsewhere.” In Magawa’s case, that reality was dusty soil layered with danger, where the slightest misstep could mean oblivion. To the unknowing eye, he was vermin. But to those who benefitted from his work, he was a testament to how goodness and usefulness often come in unexpected forms.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau warned that “the world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” Magawa’s work forces us to stretch that imagination toward the unconventional, to envision nobility where we’d least expect it, in a twitching nose and whiskers dusted by the earth.
John Steinbeck wrote, “It is the nature of man to rise to greatness if greatness is expected of him.” The same, apparently, is true of rats. What matters is not species, rank, or circumstance, but the expectation that anyone can do good. In the still, dangerous fields of Cambodia, Magawa rose every morning to a calling no human could safely answer.
The next time we’re quick to measure someone’s worth by their title, their appearance, or the sound of their voice, we might think of that little rat who saved a thousand lives. |
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Bruce County (Walkerton, ON) |
Welcome to Bruce County! We are located within the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, which includes the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. We are a community where excellence, opportunity, and exploration come together amidst the natural beauty of Southwestern Ontario. Nestled between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, our community thrives in stunning landscapes, from tranquil rivers and iconic lighthouses to bright starry skies. Home to nearly 75,000 residents in predominantly rural communities, Bruce County offers a unique blend of small-town charm and big opportunities, Bruce County is a place where you can work, live, and explore to no end.
Guided by our vision of being a welcoming, thriving community committed to the well-being of current and future generations, Bruce County fosters innovation, sustainable growth, and collaboration. As an upper-tier municipality, Bruce County provides essential services that shape the daily lives of our residents across 12 towns and communities. Our responsibilities include housing, childcare, Ontario Works, infrastructure, paramedic services, and long-term care homes, as well as cultural and recreational programs through our libraries and museum. In everything we do, we uphold our core values: excellence, welcoming community, good governance, environmental stewardship, and financial sustainability.
As one of Southwestern Ontario’s Top Employers, joining our team means becoming part of a dedicated group of public servants committed to making a meaningful difference. At Bruce County, you’ll find opportunities to grow your career, contribute to impactful solutions, and help shape a sustainable future—all while enjoying the exceptional lifestyle this remarkable region offers. Explore with us—your journey starts here.
What You’ll Do
Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), the Executive Assistant is responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of the Offices of the Warden and CAO. The incumbent provides self-directed and complex executive support to the Office of the CAO, the Warden and Council, including handling sensitive political and human resource issues, the creation of plans, and coordinating administrative and support functions for the Executive Offices.
This role acts as the primary point of contact for the Office of the CAO.
What We Offer Competitive Salary: $79,771-$93,839 per annum Health and Dental Benefits, OMERS pension, Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), and more. Closes: 29 April 2026 |
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What's to expect for Canada's 2026 wildfire season?
Wildfire expert Mike Flannigan says this year will be his "litmus test" for whether Canada's wildfire seasons, already in uncharted territory and fuelled by human-caused climate change, have entered a "new reality." |
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Ontario’s Endangered Species Act is officially dead. Here’s what that means The Ontario government has officially repealed its Endangered Species Act and replaced it with weaker legislation, almost a year after first proposing to do so. The province’s new Species Conservation Act removes provincial protections for many species and applies protections to a more narrow range of habitat for others.
Conservation experts say the new law puts threatened species at further risk, but the Doug Ford government says the change will speed up road, mining and housing developments. |
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OMAA: Connecting CAOs, Strengthening Municipalities
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