On June 2, 2026, Bill 9, Municipal Accountability Act, 2025 received Royal Assent. The legislation establishes a centralized and standardized accountability framework across all municipalities. The two‑step discipline process consists of: (1) Municipal investigation by the locally appointed Integrity Commissioner. and (2) Provincial inquiry by the OIC for more serious cases. The mechanism for removing elected officials from office in cases of serious misconduct requires (1) a recommendation from the OIC and (2) near‑unanimous approval of council.
Operational details—including the content of the code of conduct and training requirements—will be addressed in regulation. |
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Ontario Investing Nearly $11 Million to Protect Communities from Old and Inactive Oil and Gas Wells
The government is investing an additional $7.8 million to protect communities from the risks associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells. The increased funding brings this year’s total investment to $10.8 million: $6 million for the Abandoned Works Program to safely plug more wells; $3 million for the Municipal Legacy Wells Transfer Payment Program, enabling municipalities to purchase specialized equipment, deliver critical training programs and enhance emergency response to keep communities safe; and $1.8 million for science and research to better understand and mitigate risks posed by oil and gas wells.
Refer to the Fall 2025 presentation by Brown, Duben, and Taylor, The Wheatley Explosion: Lesson in Risk, Response, and Resilience in the member library to learn more about the extent and severity of this issue. |
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The Ontario legislature will not return until October 27, the day after the municipal elections. |
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New Director Kara Van Myall |
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| We are pleased to welcome the CAO of Saugeen Shores Kara Van Myall to the Board of Directors. How long have you been a member of OMAA?
I joined as an Associate Member in 2014, with full membership in 2021 Why did you become a CAO? I love working in the public sector and building communities.
Some people advise against living in the same community where you work, but I find real value in it. It allows me to see, firsthand, the impact my team and I have every day. There’s a deeper sense of connection and accountability when the work you do directly shapes the community you call home. What’s something about you not many people know?
I love to travel, experience new places but I am also a homebody and miss my pup and family while gone. What do you love about the municipal sector? I love building communities but I also love leading municipal teams. Helping people grow and building high organizational performance, delivering results.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment? Opening the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre. Taking a project that had stalled for 20+ years and giving it new life, figuring out how to finance, and watching it open its doors in January 2026. The way it has brought the community together will forever be in my heart. Do you have a book or movie recommendation?
Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet What’s one item you can’t live without? Curly hair products?? |
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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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Thanks to support from our partners AMO and ROMA, the Maureen McCauley Bursary now offers three $5,000 bursaries annually to support the education of future municipal government leaders.
The opportunity for this Bursary is available to any student residing in Ontario who in enrolled in a post secondary program that has the potential to lead to a municipal government career.
Applicants must submit the application form before end of day 24 September 2026. The Awards Committee will select three winners and their videos will be aired during the Awards Dinner at our Executive Exchange event on 7 October 2026. |
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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 volunteers for the following: -
Aspiring/ Deputy CAO Committee
- Awards Committee
- Events Committee
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. And stay tuned as we may be adding additional committees after the June Board meeting. |
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Sincere thanks to all those that filled out the survey on the future of this newsletter. Congratulations to Martina Chait-Hartwig on winning the gift card draw.
Here's what we heard: - 96% said we should continue the Member News section.
- 64% said we should continue the Skipperism column. Some find it a unique part of the newsletter’s character and pithy wisdom whereas others are indifferent or feel it can be too long.
In response to the question What would make the newsletter more engaging to you?, suggestions included more peer‑to‑peer CAO content, clearer/cleaner formatting, and continued emphasis on leadership, policy/advocacy and practical resources.
In response to the question What would improve the newsletter most?, respondents are generally satisfied with the newsletter as‑is, but see the biggest upside in more peer-led content, practical leadership insight, and concise, scannable formats that link to deeper resources when needed. |
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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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| Nature’s ultimate engineers get to work
Two years after California reintroduced beavers, they are transforming the landscape into a 'climate-resilient powerhouse. The beaver restoration program is proving that ancient solutions can help solve modern problems. |
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