AMO Watchfile - May 2, 2024

In This Issue
- Nominations open for AMO Board of Directors.
- Submit your application for the PJ Marshall Awards.
- Municipal Information & Data Analysis System.
- AMO Youth Fellows share engagement wisdom in Municipal Word.
- Circular Materials’ response to blue box advocacy.
- Emergency Preparedness week - May 5-11, 2024.
- Ministry of Energy webinar - BPS energy reporting.
- Consultation: Rural Economic Development Strategy.
- ERO posting: Development Charges.
- ERO posting: Land Use Planning matters under Bill 185.
- ERO posting: Newspaper Notice Requirements.
- ERO posting: Removing Barriers for Additional Residential Units.
- ERO posting: Municipal Planning Data Reporting Regulation.
- ERO posting: Streamlining Pipeline Relocation to support Transit.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Lake Erie habitat restoration efforts.
- Disability Inclusion Virtual Workshop.
- Cybersecurity workshop for Municipally Elected Officials.
- AntiSemitism and Anti-Islamophobia: Spring workshops.
- Councillor training - Refresh and refine your leadership, May workshop.
- Councillor workshops.
- Understanding Competing Human Rights - Upcoming workshop.
- Managing Communications During a Time of Crisis.
- Navigating Conflict Relationships: Transforming conflict into collaboration.
- Blog: Understanding Municipal Liability.
- Participate in the Online Citizens’ Services survey.
- Canoe - your municipal sector partner.
- Canoe spring webinar series: Streamlining procurement.
- Register for Basic Income Forum.
- Careers.

AMO Matters
AMO is seeking candidates to serve on its Board of Directors. Click here for information on eligibility and nomination requirements. Elections will occur at the AMO Annual Conference in August.

The Peter J. Marshall Municipal Innovation Award celebrates municipal governments in Ontario that implement new and innovative ways to make public services, facilities, and infrastructure better for Ontarians. View full details here.

The Municipal Information & Data Analysis System (MIDAS) is a web-based tool that provides access to the Financial Information Returns (FIRs) to all Ontario municipalities. The FIR is the main data collection tool used by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to collect municipal financial and statistical information. Municipal elected officials and staff can contact MIDASAdmin@amo.on.ca for access.

Learn about youth perspective on civic engagement and some approaches to building new relationships with the young people in your communities from AMO’s 2023 Youth Fellows, Catherine, Morgan, and Jacob, in this month’s edition of Municipal World.

Circular Materials (CM) replied to a letter from municipal governments on CM blue box advocacy. CM’s response remains vague on the details of the changes they are seeking and on the details on how the changes will reduce costs.

Provincial Matters
211 is a public enquiry line available in Ontario every day and in times of emergency. 211 is supporting Emergency Preparedness Week to raise awareness of the 211 service. Free print materials are available to municipalities for use during Emergency Preparedness Week, or for displays any time of year.

Not sure what to do for energy reporting this year? The Ministry of Energy is hosting a webinar to review the July 1, 2024 energy reporting requirements for BPS organizations under O.Reg 25/23. Register today - the webinar will be held on May 8 and again on June 4. For any questions, contact the Ministry at BPSsupport@ontario.ca.

The province is conducting a survey to inform the creation of a Rural Economic Development Strategy. Share your ideas on how the province can support rural communities plan for economic success.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking feedback on proposed changes to repeal the five-year DC phase in and reinstate certain costs as eligible for DCs. Comments are open until May 10, 2024.

The province has posted land use planning changes to be made under Bill 185, Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act for comment until May 10, 2024.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing to allow digital publication of public notices for certain land use and development charge by-laws where local newspapers are not available. Comments are open until May 10, 2024.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is seeking input on barriers to the development of additional residential units. Comments are open until May 10, 2024.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is proposing expanding the list of municipalities required to report municipal planning data, and to enhance the quality of the data provided. Comments are open until May 10, 2024.

The Ministry of Energy is proposing exempt energy infrastructure relocation from seeking leave to construct if the relocation supports priority transit. Comments are open until May 11, 2024.

Federal Matters
If you are a municipality located in the Lake Erie watershed and interested in DFO’s Fish and Fish habitat restoration initiative, contact DFO on how to participate in upcoming engagements.

Education Opportunities
AMO Education has partnered with the Abilities Centre to deliver a workshop designed to enhance elected official understanding and approach to inclusion. Register for this important Disability Inclusion June 5 workshop.

AMO has partnered with the Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst to prepare elected officials in understanding cybersecurity and to make critical decisions related to preventing, preparing for, and responding to cyber security incidents. Register for the June 12 Cybersecurity workshop to learn how to prevent, prepare, and respond.

Don’t miss this time limited opportunity: register for the May 7 antisemitism workshop and the May 15 anti-islamophobia workshop. These important workshops provide you invaluable insight on the historical and contemporary roots of antisemitism and anti-islamophobia, how to address these and how to build relationships and allyships.

The Councillor Training interactive workshop delves into the key areas of your responsibility as an elected official in a forum where you can ask questions that you can’t always raise locally. Register for the May 14 Councillor Training workshop today.

AMO is offering a number of education workshops focusing on the most integral aspects of municipal leadership and governance. For full information including workshop descriptions, dates and registration visit amoeducation.ca

As an elected municipal official we know the pressure you deal with is real and we are here to support you. AMO has developed Advanced Councillor Training in 3 sessions focused on core elements of leadership. Register for the May 8 Session 1 workshop, May 29 Session 2 workshop, and the October 2 Session 3 workshop.

AMO and Hicks Morley have developed training to support municipal elected officials and council in understanding their obligations related to human rights and understanding how to manage seemingly competing human rights. Register for this important Competing Rights May 23 workshop.

During times of crisis such as natural disasters or public disruption, municipally elected officials find themselves at the front line and facing the expectations of providing up to date and useful information to their communities. The June 19 Managing Communications through Crisis workshop is an opportunity to develop and enhance your approach to managing all aspects of crisis communications during and emergency. Join your colleagues to learn techniques for effective and proactive communications with community and media.

Having conflict-free and collaborative relationships can play a significant role in helping locally elected officials carry out your collective responsibilities as decision-makers of their communities. Learn how to accomplish this at the June 26-27 Navigating Conflict Relationships workshop.

LAS
Our latest blog uses a real case scenario to help Ontario municipalities understand their legal responsibilities regarding workplace safety.

Make your voice heard. Our Electronic Signature Service partner would like your input to help shape the future of your digital services.

The Canoe Procurement Group was built by municipalities for municipalities. As a not-for-profit, they are your key buying partner offering products you use every day - from Aggregates to Zambonis. Take a minute to see how Canoe will work for you. Contact Sarah today.

Canoe’s spring webinar series continues this spring. with a special presentation on May 23. Procurement expert Stephanie Dion shares her insights on how to do group procurement and comply with trade agreements. Register here to attend.

Municipal Wire*
Registrations for Canada's inaugural Basic Income Guarantee Forum are open. BIG 2024 takes place from May 23-26 at the University of Ottawa. Elected officials and staff are encouraged to attend.

Careers
Chief Administrative Officer - The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board. Closing Date: May 20.

Ontario Works Manager - County of Wellington. Closing Date: May 10.

Asset Management Coordinator - Township of Oro-Medonte. Closing Date: May 17.

Deputy Treasurer/Manager of Finance - Township of Oro-Medonte. Closing Date: May 17.

Manager, Budgets & Financial Planning - City of Thunder Bay. Closing Date: May 30.

Engineering Technician II - County of Simcoe. Closing Date: May 12.