In This Issue:
- New resource added to AMO’s Gender Based Violence Toolkit.
- We want to feature your municipality! Share a career spotlight.
- Now available: Lead Where You Live - A Guide to Running for Municipal Council.
- Municipal Energy Plan Program provincial funding.
- Sport Hosting Program applications intake.
- Build Canada Homes: Call for project proposals.
- AMO Conference 2026 - hotel booking information.
- Navigating Conflict Relationships as an Elected Official, March and May 2026 workshops.
- Rural Ontario’s Leaders conference update.
- More Dates! Seeking re-election or first-time candidate? AMO’s free workshop series is for you.
- Free Workshop: Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate.
- Mastering Crisis Communications for Elected Officials - March 11 and 12.
- LAS 2025 Year End Message.
- Quarterly Risk Management Webinars for 2026.
- Hedge Prices Set for LAS’ Commodity Programs.
- Mercury containing lamps are going…going…gone!
- Hunting for energy treasure in 2026.
- OPSBA Campaign: Help keep education close to home.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
AMO’s Gender-Based Violence Resources for Municipal Elected Officials has now been updated with a new GBV Prevention Framework. Visit the Toolkit to learn more and access other helpful resources.
We want to feature your municipality! AMO is building a public affairs campaign to highlight the impact and the people behind municipal work - and we want to feature real stories from Ontario's municipalities. Your submission will be featured on the campaign website and in newsletters as Impact Stories to highlight the everyday work that keeps communities safe, clean, connected and welcoming. Please contact us at workforce@amo.on.ca to learn how you can get involved.
The Lead Where You Live Resource provides key information for anyone running in the 2026 municipal election. This guide will introduce you to some of the key steps in that process. It will also give you a sense of what life is like as an elected member of a municipal council.
Provincial Matters
The Municipal Energy Plan Program, a voluntary, application-based program of the Ministry of Energy and Mines helps develop and enhance energy plans. Learn more here.
The province is accepting applications for next round of Sport Hosting Program to support sport tourism and local economies. Municipalities are eligible to apply. The deadline to submit for 2026/27 applications is until January 12, 2026.
Federal Matters
Build Canada Homes released an Investment Policy Framework (IPF) to guide investment decisions and housing development activities. Calls for project proposals can be submitted to the BCH portal on a continuous intake basis.
Education Opportunities
The annual AMO 2026 conference will be in Ottawa, August 16 – 19, 2026. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 10:00am EST as hotel bookings for the conference open. Review the booking policies and hotel information in advance.
Municipal life is a people-oriented business and not all relationships are smooth sailing. Learn how to transform conflict into collaboration. The Navigating Conflict Relationships as an Elected Official workshop teaches skills in building collaborative relationships and negotiating difficult ones in your role as an elected municipal official.
The ROMA 2026 conference features a new and dynamic approach to the Ministers’ Forum. This year, there will be two forums, structured to focus dialogue on Building Ontario and Investing in People. Learn more about the approach and register today!
If you missed AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities workshop registration, we are offering more dates to register. It's designed to equip you with the tools, resilience, and confidence to meet the challenges of the political landscape head-on. It's offered at no charge in two streams: first time candidates, and those considering re-election in 2026. Full details and registration information here.
AMO’s Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate 90 minute free workshop provides useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot. While this workshop focuses on individuals from underrepresented communities, all are welcome to participate.
Crises aren’t planned - but communication is. As a local leader, knowing how and when to respond is critical for stability in your community during a crisis. Join this workshop to develop, master and deliver your own messages with confidence. View full Managing Communications through Crisis details and register here.
LAS
Judy Dezell’s year end message reflects on 2025. From celebrating our victories to learning from our challenges, the LAS team made progress towards their goals. Read more here.
LAS, in partnership with Intact Public Entities, has set the 2026 Risk Management webinar dates. Register today for the free sessions and attend live to ask questions.
The participants in our Electricity and Natural Gas Procurement Programs can budget their energy costs for 2026 with the new LAS hedge prices. If you’re interested in learning if the program is right for your municipality, please reach out.
The phase-out of mercury containing lamps (fluorescent, metal halide, sodium, etc.) begins on January 1, 2026. Check out our archived webinar to learn more. Don’t want to be left in the dark? Contact Christian to use our simple, turn-key Facility Lighting Service.
Energy treasure hunts help staff identify all sorts of energy savings opportunities. Empower your team to meet your energy targets and reduce costs by booking your 2026 Energy Workshop & Treasure Hunt today. Contact Christian Tham for more information.
Municipal Wire*
The provincial government has recently suggested changes that could undermine the role of elected Ontario Public School Board trustees and centralize decision making at Queen’s Park. OPSBA has responded with a province-wide digital campaign to remind Ontarians why local democracy matters in education. Visit DemocracyIsNotOutdated.ca to view the campaign and sign the petition.
Careers
Waste Auditor/ Municipal By-Law Enforcement - County of Simcoe. Closing Date: December 30, 2025.
Manager, Housing Corporation Operations, Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation - City of Kawartha Lakes. Closing Date: January 4, 2026.
