In This Issue:
- AMO Board meeting recap from President Robin Jones.
- AMO’s Public Affairs and Advertising Campaign.
- Asset Management Plan Map.
- Guidance for Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence.
- Ontario Land Tribunal Announces AI Practice Update.
- New funding: Rural Ontario Development Fund: Second intake is now open.
- Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative.
- OSUM Conference: Register Today!
- Free Information session for Youth Considering running for Municipal Office.
- AMO Regional and Single-Tier Caucus Virtual Meet-Up: 2026.
- New year, new skills: Navigating Conflict Relationships.
- Lead Where You Live - A Guide to Running for Municipal Council.
- More Dates! Free workshop series for those seeking re-election & first-time candidates.
- LAS/IPE All Risk Municipal Grant.
- Free Webinar: Why Privacy Impact Assessments Matter & How Digital Management Can Reduce Risk.
- Blog - Car Accident Guide: Safety Steps and Claim Tips.
- Webinar: Demystifying Job Order Contracting.
- Municipal Student Survey.
- Ready to Take Your Career To the Next Level?
- OPPI Employer Readiness Workshop.
- HelpSeeker Technologies Webinar Recording on Updated Homelessness Report.
- Free Intersectoral Action Training Series.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
The AMO Board met on January 30th at the AMO office in Toronto. The Board was introduced to this year's Youth Fellows and discussed AMO's continued efforts in support of your key priorities. Watch AMO President, Robin Jones's recap of key board meeting updates here.
Join us on March 3, 2026, for a on how you can leverage the resources of AMO’s new public affairs and advertising campaign, ‘’. Discover brand new campaign assets and ready-made templates you can use to boost the campaign reach and drive local engagement. For more information email .
A recent update to our Asset Management Map providing links to all asset management plans found that municipalities report in their plans owning and managing $1 trillion (2025 CAD) of infrastructure.
Provincial Matters
The Information and Privacy Commissioner in partnership with the Ontario Human Rights Commission have released recommendations for responsible public sector use of artificial intelligence.
Effective March 30, 2026, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) is implementing a new Practice Direction on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in OLT proceedings.
The Ministry of Rural Affairs is accepting applications for the Rural Ontario Development Fund until February 26. Register for an information session being held February 12.
Under the Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative, the governments of Canada and Ontario will be accepting applications from February 17 to March 17 for new funding to help local businesses grow international and domestic sales.
Education Opportunities
Join your Ontario Small Urban colleagues for at the OSUM 2026, April 29 – May 1 in Parry Sound. Click here for registration and hotel details. (note: link will be live this evening but you can login to view).
Many young people are inspired to run for municipal council, not everyone understands the ins and outs of doing so. Facilitated by current young municipal leaders, these sessions provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence on becoming a candidate and how to run a campaign. View full workshop details and register here.
You can now register for the AMO Regional and Single Tier Caucus Virtual Meet-Up meet. Scheduled for Monday, February 23 from 10am-12noon. This interactive session provides an opportunity for questions and answers on AMO’s strategic policy and government relations priorities and approach. If you have top of mind questions, you can submit them in advance to events@amo.on.ca. Register here.
Gain skills in building collaborative relationships and negotiating difficult ones. This 2 part, interactive workshop will explore the constructs, traps and pitfalls of conflict relationships, and how to approach, plan and execute relationships successfully. Register here to save your spot.
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.
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.
LAS
The All Risk Municipal Grant – Investing in Municipal Risk Resiliency was such a success in 2025 that LAS and Intact Public Entities are offering it again to Ontario municipalities in 2026. To learn more, please follow this link.
Managing privacy risk has become increasingly important for Ontario municipalities, particularly with the growing use of AI-enabled technologies. Join a free webinar on February 11 hosted by LAS' Freedom of Information and Privacy Impact Assessments services partner, Vayle.
This car accident guide - contributed by Cowan Insurance - LAS’ Personal Home and Auto Insurance partner, offers some practical preparation tips and outlines the details you should gather to help protect your insurance claim and yourself.
Job Order Contracting (JOC) is a new method of construction project delivery in Canada. Join the Canoe Procurement Group on February 12 at 2PM EST to learn how and why JOC works. For more information and to register, click here.
Municipal Wire*
AMO is partnering with the University of Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute to better understand how municipalities can more effectively attract and retain the next generation. If you’ve supervised a student in a municipal setting – or know someone who has – please forward them this short, to share their experiences. If you have any questions, please contact .
OPPI is opening registration for a free in-person workshop that gives employers and managers practical tools to support newly hired planners. The course includes an Employer Handbook (supported by AMO) on management practices that promote inclusion, retention, and long-term success. Register Here!
On January 27th, HelpSeeker Technologies hosted a webinar for policymakers, public servants, and sector leaders to discuss the recently updated Municipalities Under Pressure report. View the recorded presentation on YouTube.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Tamarack Institute are offering public health units, governments, and others a virtual learning series on strengthening collaboration to enhance well-being in Ontario.
Join your peers in Kitchener on April 17 for a dynamic, full-day professional development event hosted by the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association to help you sharpen your skills, expand your network, and gain practical insights from. The day will feature lessons from seasoned municipal executives and help position you for long-term success. .
Careers
Program Manager - Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Closing Date: February 20, 2026.
Manager, Fleet and Transit - City of Kawartha Lakes. Closing Date: February 25, 2026.
Equipment Repair Technician - Town of Oakville. Closing Date: February 9, 2026.
