Bill 100, Better Regional Governance Act moved quickly through the legislature, passing after just two days of committee review — one dedicated to public presentations from stakeholders and another focused on clause-by-clause consideration. During that process, the government introduced amendments granting the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing authority to determine council composition in Thorold, Port Colborne, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. A regulation released on May 5 confirmed that each of the three municipalities will have seven-member councils, which aligns with resolutions previously adopted by the municipalities themselves.
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The Office of the Auditor General of Ontario released four Special Reports on May 12th, 2026: Family Responsibility Office; Large Commercial Truck Driver Licensing; Special Education Needs; and Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Ontario Government. Across all four reports, the Auditor General emphasized the importance of clear oversight, consistent practices, and effective monitoring to help public programs and systems achieve their intended objectives.
The report on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Ontario Government examined how AI systems are being used and procured across the Ontario Public Service (OPS). The audit found OPS staff were accessing unsafe and unsecured AI websites, creating risks of potential unauthorized data exposure. Three percent of OPS staff completed the responsible use of AI training, and it was not mandatory. The OPS-approved generative AI tool, which provides a secure environment for data, was used 6% of the time that staff made use of generative AI. The report also identified weaknesses in procurement practices, including limited validation of vendor testing, as well as limited use of security assessment reports, bias testing and live demonstrations of the AI Scribe systems for health care.
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Annual General Meeting Next Week |
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| Our Annual General Meeting takes place on Thursday 21 May at the Spring Workshop.
We encourage all members to review the meeting materials in advance. The package includes the AGM agenda, last year’s minutes, the slate of nominated board candidates plus the audited financial statements.
Your participation is important to our governance and future direction, and we look forward to your engagement. Check out the Strategic Plan Two-Page Summary and join the Strategic Plan Roundtable session on Wednesday evening at the Spring Workshop to help define where we’re headed as an organization. |
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The latest installment of the AMO OMAA Mayor-CAO Series Upper-Tier Leadership Dynamics: Navigating the CAO–Warden Relationship took place on last week and is now available for viewing on our YouTube Channel.
Many thanks to the panelists Warden Marcus Ryan and CAO Ben Addley of Oxford County plus Warden Bonnie Clark and CAO Sheridan Graham of Peterborough County for their participation. Thanks also to Will Gardiner and the team at AMO for all the behind the scenes support. |
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Ontario is entering a period of sustained and accelerating change. Population growth, housing pressures, climate resilience, infrastructure demands, and technological transformation are reshaping communities across the province.
These challenges do not sit neatly within institutions. They move across systems —affecting how organizations operate and how communities function.
Municipalities are at the centre of many of these pressures. But solutions increasingly extend beyond any single organization.
This is an environment where leadership cannot operate in isolation.
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| 116 years ago Theodore Roosevelt gave his "Citizenship in a Republic," speech at the Sorbonne in Paris.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
Like the elected officials you serve, you, my friends, are also in the arena. You are looking after your fellow citizens and building better communities. You toil when a vast array of keyboard warriors sneer.
But take heart that while social media has amplified the voices of the critics, they are nothing new. Roosevelt knew this well: "There are many men who feel a kind of twisted pride in cynicism; there are many who confine themselves to criticism of the way others do what they themselves dare not even attempt."
And he gave these cynics no quarter "(they are) unfit to bear their part painfully in the stern strife of living, who seek, in the affectation of contempt for the achievement of others, to hide from others and from themselves their own weakness." So carry on my friends. Keep building. And dare greatly. |
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The Town of Hanover is a growing, connected, and vibrant community within the County of Grey. With a population of approximately 8,500 residents, Hanover is proud to serve not only those who live here but also the surrounding region of over 45,000 people who rely on Hanover as a hub for healthcare, recreation, education, shopping, and cultural experiences.
Hanover’s vision is to be a progressive community where residents of all ages enjoy safe, healthy lifestyles, meaningful employment, excellent services, and personal fulfillment. The Town supports growth while respecting and celebrating heritage; enhancing the downtown; protecting natural resources; and welcoming all to a friendly, caring, inclusive and supportive community. Hanover is committed to good government, effective and efficient management and maintenance of municipal services, productive partnerships and collaborating with our local businesses and municipal neighbours to build local economies and community services for our mutual benefit.
Recently, the Town took an important step toward addressing growth challenges through obtaining provincial approval for a boundary adjustment with a neighbouring community. The boundary adjustment will provide additional developable land that has the potential to support new residential, commercial, and industrial growth, broadening the tax base and reducing the burden on existing ratepayers. Hanover’s path forward is clear: thoughtful, well-managed growth will be the key to maintaining affordability, supporting infrastructure renewal, and ensuring that the Town remains a strong, vibrant, and inclusive community for years to come.
With a combined operating and capital budget of over $29M and 165 permanent and part-time staff, the Town of Hanover is committed to meeting the needs of residents and the business community by delivering efficient and effective services. Due to the retirement of a well-regarded CAO, Hanover is looking for an inspiring leader to play a key role in implementing Council’s vision for the future.
Leading a talented team, you will inspire a dedicated workforce and help foster a workplace culture focused on service excellence, innovation and teamwork while positioning Hanover as an employer of choice. Hanover offers competitive compensation of $164,764.60 to $191,591.40 plus pension, benefits, vacation, professional development, and an opportunity to work with an engaged Council in a beautiful community.
Closes: 22 May or sooner |
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Grant Applications Coordinator |
This new position is responsible for coordinating an effective and efficient grant application process throughout the organization, including monitoring opportunities, tracking submissions, and reporting. RESPONSBILITIES:
Proactively monitor and research funding sources from all eligible sources including but not limited to the Federal and Provincial governments. Share grant opportunities with appropriate service areas and external agencies when relevant. With an interdepartmental approach, lead the preparation, review and submission of grant applications and supporting compliance with funding requirements, in alignment with the County’s Strategic Plan and Advocacy Framework. Maintain a system to track and manage grant applications including deadlines, application requirements, reporting requirements, and application outcomes. Collaborate with internal partners when relevant to prepare reports for presentations to Council for application approval and/or expenditure authority if required. Oversee departmental adherence to funding guidelines and monitor grant related expenditures in collaboration with Finance. Compile and present relevant data, reports and updates as required. Establish and maintain contacts and develop working relationships with key staff in various governmental agencies and organizations offering grant programs. Research and evaluate best practices to improve grant submission outcomes. Provide additional support to advocacy related initiatives including letter writing, document preparation and data collection. Liaise with Area Municipalities, Provincial/Federal government representatives, internal stakeholders, community stakeholders, and members of the public as necessary and appropriate. Receives and attempts to resolve concerns and questions related to the grant process in a timely and responsive manner. Refers and escalates to the appropriate individual as necessary. Performs other duties as assigned.
WHAT WE OFFER:
Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid work, $72,818.20-$91,018.20/Annually. Option of enrollment in OMERS defined benefit pension plan. Employee and Family Assistance Plan available plus Health Care Spending Account effective immediately.
Closes: 14 May 2026 |
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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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