The Ontario government is opening applications for a new program intended to reduce building costs and speed up the construction of new homes. The Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP) will deliver federal and provincial funding over 10 years for housing-enabling infrastructure projects, with funding prioritized for municipalities that reduce development charges for all residential types by 30 per cent to 50 per cent or greater and maintain the reductions for at least three years.
Applications will be assessed based on: - percentage of committed DC rate reduction (minimum 30-50 per cent reduction)
- number of homes projected to build as a result of proposed DC relief
- the municipality’s financial contribution
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Housing-enabling projects would be prioritized with consideration for the number of homes enabled by the project. Municipalities are strongly encouraged to be as ambitious as possible in their DC rate reductions to secure as much funding as possible for their communities.
Eligible project costs are shared across all levels of government with up to 90% funded by federal and provincial governments, and at least 10% funded by the municipality. Ineligible costs include design, engineering, legal fees, permitting, and insurance.
The deadline to apply is 19 June 2026. |
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The Ontario government has unveiled its framework for the Ontario Defence Industrial Strategy (ODIS). This 10-year strategy is dedicated to growing the province’s defence industry and positioning its companies and workers for long-term success. The framework highlights Ontario’s strengths and competitive advantage in research and development, critical minerals, nuclear energy, aeronautics, manufacturing and technology, as well as the province’s world-class workforce.
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After a 29 day session the Ontario legislature started a 21-week break on Tuesday.
It will not return until Oct. 27, the day after the municipal elections. |
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We are transitioning into Civic Ontario |
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Civic Ontario is the new name of our organization. This change is additive, not reductive. Our name change to Civic Ontario does not alter the core of what members value most about this community. The networking, connection, and events that CAOs rely on to gather together in a safe, trusted space will continue as they always have. What we are adding is more opportunity. In addition to our existing programming, we will begin offering new events designed to bring members together with peers from other sectors. These gatherings will focus on cross-cutting challenges and leadership issues that matter across public service.
This evolution also reflects the reality of the work our members do every day. Today’s challenges and decisions do not stay contained within a single institution. Municipal, health, education, and public agency leaders are increasingly facing shared questions that benefit from broader conversation, shared insight, and continuous learning. Civic Ontario aims to together senior leaders from across Ontario’s civic institutions in a trusted environment for connection, learning, and collaboration.
Interestingly, as we heard from Bill Winegard at the Spring Workshop this closely matches the original founders intent for the association. While our name is changing, our purpose remains the same: to support strong leadership and meaningful relationships across the public sector. The Rebrand Process Explained provides full background and context Stay tuned for more updates as we launch a new website and other collateral in the next few weeks. In the meantime, please take 3 minutes to tell us what you want in a revised Observer newsletter going forward by clicking on the button below. Survey closes 10 June 2026. One lucky respondent will win a $50 gift card. |
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Hydro One Community Partnership Grant Now Open |
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| Applications are now open for the Hydro One Community Partnership Grant Municipalities and municipality-endorsed charitable partners are invited to apply for Hydro One’s Community Partnership Grant, supporting initiatives enhancing emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure, or community well-being. Applications close on June 30. |
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New Director Morgan Calvert |
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We are pleased to welcome the CAO of Adelaide Metcalfe Morgan Calvert to the Board of Directors. How long have you been a member of OMAA?
A little over five years Why did you become a CAO? I wanted to work with folks who aspire to do good things in the best interest of their community. What’s something about you not many people know?
Late at night, you can find me practicing some dance moves in the kitchen with my dog, Jax. What do you love about the municipal sector? The people who work in the municipal sector. From their values, their willingness to share their knowledge, experiences, and, ideas to challenging the status quo. They are inspiring.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment? I have had the fortunate opportunity to build and work alongside highly talented and successful teams throughout my career, for which I am incredibly proud and thankful for. The opportunity to lead and collaborate with people, past, present, and future, will always be my proudest accomplishment.
Do you have a book or movie recommendation? Halt and Catch Fire, a tv show from the mid-2010s. What’s one item you can’t live without? My MacBook laptop. |
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| This is a very exciting time for your association.
Civic Ontario is the leadership home for Ontario’s senior municipal executives — those responsible for ensuring communities work. Its members lead the institutions at the heart of daily life: delivering essential services, safeguarding public trust, and sustaining continuity across electoral cycles.
And now you have a chance to help shape what comes next. By joining a committee, you can contribute your expertise, influence sector-wide priorities, and collaborate with peers who are driving meaningful change across the province. This is your opportunity to have a direct impact on the profession, strengthen your network, and play a role in advancing the future of municipal leadership in Ontario. Learn more about our committees and what they do. We are looking for at least seven volunteers: - Aspiring CAO Committee (2)
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Awards Committee (3)
- Events Committee (2)
Step forward, get involved, and help lead the work that matters. Hit the button below to let us know which committee(s) you'd like to join. |
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Canadian GDP came in sharply below expectations in Q1 -- edging down 0.1% (annualized rate) to mark a second consecutive quarterly decline following a 1% (previously reported as -0.6%) drop in Q4, and well below preliminary estimates of monthly output through March released a month ago that were pointing to growth closer to a 2% rate in Q1.
Although the Q1 GDP decline is very small, two consecutive quarters of GDP decline are historically unusual. But RBC believes that underlying details still (also for a second consecutive quarter) look firmer than what would be typically expected at, say, the beginning of a recession.
For more economic research, visit rbc.com/economics. |
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Canadian Municipal Barometer Survey |
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You will have or will soon receive an email with a request to fill out the Canadian Municipal Barometer survey. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey. We are pleased to work with Martin Horak from the University of Western Ontario and the rest of the research team on this important initiative. This year's survey is extended to CAOs and will make an important contribution to the existing research on the profession including valuable comparisons to your peers in other provinces. |
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Township of Algonquin Highlands |
The Township of Algonquin Highlands is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and community-focused leader to serve as its next Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) / Deputy Clerk. Located in the heart of Ontario’s cottage country, Algonquin Highlands is a vibrant and growing municipality known for its exceptional natural environment, strong sense of community, entrepreneurial spirit, and outstanding quality of life. Reporting directly to Mayor and Council, the CAO is responsible for leading the municipality’s administrative operations, providing strategic advice to Council, overseeing financial and organizational management, and ensuring the effective delivery of municipal services.
Key Responsibilities
• Provide strategic leadership and advice to Council on municipal operations, governance, policy, financial planning, and organizational effectiveness
• Lead and support the Township’s senior management team and organizational culture
• Ensure effective implementation of Council priorities and strategic initiatives
• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, procurement, and long-term asset management
• Foster positive working relationships with residents, businesses, community groups, County of Haliburton, neighbouring municipalities, and provincial agencies
• Ensure compliance with municipal legislation, policies, and governance best practices
Salary Range: $152,498 - 171,681. Closes: 29 June 2026, 3 p.m. |
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| The Spring Workshop featured 220 delegates, 28 exhibits, 17 speakers, 1 amazing steamship, and 1 very funny comedian. Survey results revealed the following: - 4.67/5 overall rating
- 4.81/ 5 venue rating
- 4.22/5 keynote rating
- Respondents liked the variety of topics and shorter sessions.
Presentations are now available in PDF in the Member Library. Login as a Member and click on the Library (under Members Only) and then Workshop Presentations to access. Videos will be uploaded as they become available.
A $1000 donation was made to our official charity, Feed Ontario. Thanks to Georgian Bay Township CAO Greg Mariotti for providing the raffle prize. Congratulations to Samuel Cardarelli on winning the gift card draw. |
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| Canada’s food insecurity crisis has become a national issue that needs urgent attention. Something fundamental has shifted in Canada. One quarter of people are food insecure. Households are now spending an average of 56% of their income on fixed costs outside of housing. When housing is included, lower-income households are spending more than 100% of their income on essentials. Since 2021, the cost of food and shelter has risen by approximately 30%. Incomes and benefits have not kept pace with that increase. Food Banks Canada Poverty Report Cards report gives Ontario the second-lowest grade in the country.
The report also provides an ambitious and practical roadmap for governments to address the most important systemic issues contributing to poverty levels and help reduce it over both the short and long terms |
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Species at Risk in the Greenbelt: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities shows that since 2004, the number of species at risk living in the Greenbelt has increased by 68 per cent, rising from 72 to 121 species. That growth far outpaces provincial trends, confirming the Greenbelt’s critical importance for biodiversity in southern Ontario.
The 121 at-risk species that inhabit the Greenbelt represent 42% of the total species at risk in Ontario – including rare birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants. Some, like the hooded warbler, are showing signs of recovery thanks to protected habitats and co-ordinated conservation efforts. Others, like redside dace and Jefferson salamander, are struggling as habitat fragmentation and pollution harm breeding and feeding grounds. |
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