In This Issue:
- AMO Board of Directors Elections.
- Building a Culture of Civility: AMO’s Using Social Media and Online Platforms Handguide.
- Call for Nominations for the 2026 - 2028 OSUM Executive Committee Election.
- Explore AMO’s one-of-its-kind candidate resource catalogue!
- Applications Open for EASE Grant.
- Northern Rideshare Framework.
- MMAH 2026 Election Guides.
- Ontario Webinar on Build Canada Homes.
- Mayor-Cao Relationship Series.
- OSUM 2026: The Small Urban Approach to Municipal Challenges.
- Preventing Escalated Behaviours Workshop: Practical Strategies for Safer Municipal Workplaces.
- Introducing AMO Conference 2026 Keynote: Curse of Politics.
- Indigenous Candidates Thinking of Running for Office – Join us April 9.
- Free Information Session for Youth Interested in Running for Municipal Council in October 2026.
- Is a Facility Lighting Upgrade in your budget?
- LAS Webinar: Introducing Road Patrol.
- Save on Your Employee Group Benefits Costs.
- Building Linkages in Emergency Management - June 2-3.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
Nominations for the AMO Board of Directors election will open on April 21st. Click here for more election information and timelines or email elections@amo.on.ca if you have any questions.
Through its Healthy Democracy and Workforce Development Projects, AMO has developed practical tools to help councils and staff manage conflict and foster a culture of civility. Our Leading with Respect Handguides offers resources over a series of seven key municipal areas of leadership. This week, we are profiling Using Social Media and Online Platforms Handguide that includes practical tools and guidance related to moderating online platforms, navigating personal and official accounts and social media policies.
The Call for OSUM Executive Nominations election is open. Those interested in running for the 2026-2028 OSUM Executive Committee term are required to fill out the attached nomination form. Nomination form deadline for return is 4:00 p.m. on April 10, 2026.
Through its Healthy Democracy Project, AMO has launched a candidate attraction and voter turnout campaign: If You Believe. They Believe. In the Get Started section of the website you can view a one-of-its-kind catalogue of candidate resources for every phase of the campaign journey. Please explore the resources and share with your networks!
Provincial Matters
The Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant awards up to $60,000 for small capital projects for people with disabilities and older adults. Applications are open until May 7 at Ontario.ca/EaseGrant.
MTO is proposing a pilot to establish provincial requirements for rideshare operators, drivers, and vehicles operating along the Northlander passenger train corridor. Provide feedback by April 10.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing have released their guidance materials for the 2026 municipal elections including the Voter’s Guide, Candidate’s Guide and Third-Party Advertiser’s Guide.
Federal Matters
On April 24th, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada will host a webinar explaining Build Canada Homes’ portal and investment policy framework in Ontario. Register now over Microsoft Teams.
Education Opportunities
AMO and OMAA present the next installment of the Mayor–CAO Relationship Series. This session focuses on upper-tier governance, featuring experienced CAO–Warden teams sharing practical leadership insights. Register here.
Join your small urban colleagues in the Town of Parry Sound, April 29-May 1, for the 70th Ontario Small Urban Conference. We have built a program featuring key issues small urban municipal leaders are facing today from the impact of strong mayor powers, housing and homelessness, infrastructure challenges, incivility, weakened local journalism and more. View program outline and register now.
In partnership with the Public Services Health & Safety Association, AMO is pleased to offer its members an interactive workshop focused on Preventing Escalated Behaviours. This session introduces practical, person-centred strategies to help recognize early signs of escalation, strengthen communication, and confidently and professionally respond to difficult situations. Register for the two-part May 7 and May 28 workshop now.
AMO is pleased to announce the Curse of Politics podcast as the 2026 AMO Conference keynote speaker. Get ready for a commotion of insights, arguments, opinions and an impossibly loud laugh or two. If you haven’t already, register today for the AMO Conference.
AMO has expanded their Healthy Democracy campaign information workshops. We are now offering a series of workshops for urban Indigenous peoples interested in municipal office and running in the October 2026 elections. Facilitated by current and former elected officials, these sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and run a campaign. Register here for one of three sessions.
Through AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project, we are offering a series of free workshops for young people thinking about running for municipal office in the October 2026 elections. Facilitated by three current municipal leaders, these sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign. Register for the April 15 session here.
LAS
As budgets get approved, our Facility Lighting Service gets busy. Be sure to let LAS know if an LED Upgrade is in your future. We have a simple turn-key solution for that!
Building on our proven assessment program, LAS partner Citylogix is launching a Road Patrol application that delivers continuous visibility into road conditions — automatically, consistently, and in real time. Join our webinar on April 28th to learn how this new technology would work for your community. Register Here.
The LAS Group Benefits program offered by Mosey & Mosey helps reduce your employee group benefit costs. The plan offerings are customizable to your municipality’s needs. For more information, you can visit Mosey & Mosey at the OMHRA Conference, April 14 to 16 in Niagara Falls.
Municipal Wire*
Building Linkages in Emergency Management is an event that you won’t want to miss, dedicated to advancing emergency management practices. It provides a unique opportunity to network with a diverse group of professionals, including emergency managers, first responders, municipal leaders, and others with a role in emergency management.
Careers
Senior Advisor - Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Closing Date: April 14, 2026.
Senior Planner (Land Use Planning) - Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Closing Date: April 24, 2026.
Field Officer - City of Greater Sudbury. Closing Date: April 17, 2026.
Waste Program Coordinator - Town of Newmarket. Closing Date: April 23, 2026.
