AMO Watchfile - March 7, 2024

In This Issue
- Application for the PJ Marshall Awards is open.
- Information to assist Municipalities in flood preparedness.
- Consultation on Ontario Energy Board Act changes
- Consultation on Northern Services Boards Act.
- Consultation on Seniors Active Living Centres Act.
- Nominations open for Lieutenant Governor’s Award.
- Consultation: Rural Economic Development Strategy.
- Land use planning framework for energy project siting.
- Applications open: My Main Street Fund.
- Applications open: Rural Transit Solutions Fund.
- Consultation: 2025 National Construction Codes
- OSUM 2024 Conference - Program release.
- Cyber Security Education for Municipal Councilors.
- Advanced Councillor Training Series to Revitalize Your Leadership.
- Disability inclusion workshop and discussion: Beyond AODA compliance.
- Managing Communications through Uncomfortable Times - Limited space.
- AntiSemitism and Anti-Islamophobia: Spring workshops.
- Indigenous Community Awareness training.
- Land Use Planning - Foundations and Deeper Dive workshops.
- Strategies for Navigating Conflict Relationships for Strong Council Outcomes.
- Learn more about municipal investments - Upcoming Workshops.
- Blog: Mitigating Auto Theft Risk for High-Target Vehicles.
- LAS webinar: LiDAR, Imagery, and AI for a High-Tech Future.
- Upcoming webinar: Financial Analysis for Energy Projects.
- Invasive Species Action Fund.
- 2024 Farmland Forum: The Future of Ontario Farmland.
- Ontario Age-Friendly Communities 2024 Conference.
- Future of Aging Summit next May.
- Careers.

AMO Matters
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.

Provincial Matters
As Ontario flood season arrives, MNRF has circulated a fact sheet with roles and responsibilities to assist municipalities in flood preparedness (French versions 1 & 2). Information is also available online.

The Minstry of Energy is consideration changes to the Ontario Energy Board Act that would require broader consultation by the OEB (including with municipalities) and increase the leave to consult threshold. Submissions due by April 7.

MNDM is exploring changes to the Northern Services Boards Act (NSBA) to modernize provisions across various governance areas of Local Service Boards. The deadline for comments is March 19, 2024.

MSAA is proposing a new regulation that would prescribe entities that could contribute towards a Seniors Active Living Centre program’s operational cost. The deadline for comments is March 22, 2024.

Nominations are open for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Distinction in Public Administration, Ontario’s highest honour for public service. Nominate someone from your municipality by April 30.

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.

On February 22, the IESO hosted a webinar with MMAH and OMAFRA providing an overview of the current land use planning policies in place to guide the siting of energy projects in prime agricultural areas. A recording of the session is available.

Federal Matters
The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and the Canadian Urban Institute are offering two streams of funding for initiatives to support main streets in southern Ontario. Apply by March 31.

Infrastructure Canada is now accepting applications for the Planning and Design Projects Stream of the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (up to $50,000). Visit their website for more information.

The Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes is consulting on proposed changes for the 2025 national codes. Feedback collected will also serve as consultation for Ontario’s 2026/27 Building Code. Submissions due April 14.

Education Opportunities
Join your small urban colleagues in Orillia May 1 - 3 in discussion, examination and advocacy on matters unique to your communities and to hear provincial leaders. View the full program and register today.

Designed for elected officials, this workshop will provide insight and information to better understand the landscape and critical decisions to preventing, preparing for, and responding to cybersecurity incidents. Register for the March 20 Cyber Security workshop.

As an elected municipal official we know the pressure you deal with is real and we are here to support you. AMO has developed 3 sessions focused on core elements of leadership. Register for the March 22 Session 1 workshop, May 29 Session 2 workshop, and the October 2 Session 3 workshop.

Participants will leave this workshop with a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of building accessible and inclusive communities as an elected official. Register for the March 25 Disability Inclusion Workshop.

The Managing Communications through Uncomfortable Times interactive, one-day course will teach participants how to manage all aspects of crisis communications during an emergency or large-scale event. Claim your space for the March 27 Managing Communications through Uncomfortable Times workshop.

The goal of achieving your council’s priorities and strategic objectives require understanding, good communication and finding ways to compromise. AMO’s Navigating Conflict for Elected Officials is an invaluable resource for AMO members and your councils. This series of two workshops are open for registration: NCR 1.0 June 26 - 27 and for those who have completed NCR 1.0 April 9 - 10 NCR 2.0 register today.

These informative workshops provide you invaluable insight on the historical and contemporary roots of anti-semitism and anti-islamophobia, how to address these and how to build relationships and allyships. Register for the April 24 antisemitism and May 15 anti-islamophobia workshop today.

OFIFC and AMO are offering training to build indigenous cultural competency in municipal government. Through a self-paced learning module and live virtual component, this training will provide knowledge and tools to utilize in moving improved and stronger Indigenous-municipal relations forward in Ontario. Register today for the April 2 workshop.

AMO’s planning training supports its members in two important ways: April 17 Foundations in Planning builds foundational knowledge and insight into planning legislation and municipal requirements and roles and the April 18 Advanced Land Use Planning - A Deeper Dive training works through case studies and lessons learned to build your strategic management and decision making on local planning issues.

ONE Investment
ONE Investment Basics and Beyond Workshops provide an overview of requirements and eligible avenues for Municipal Investing under both the Eligible Investment regulation and Prudent Investor standards in the Municipal Act. We have both in-person and virtual options. Learn more and register here.

LAS
Car theft increased 72% between 2014 and 2021 and jumped an additional 14% just in the last few years. Read our latest blog about how to protect yourself.

Discover the potential of LiDAR, imagery, and AI in supercharging your asset management initiatives, regardless of community size. Join Streetscan on March 20 for a presentation on new developments in the LAS Road & Sidewalk Assessment Service. Register here.

Do you have a road or sidewalk survey on your 2024 to-do list? Join our webinar on March 20 for updates on the LAS Road & Sidewalk Assessment Service, providing better data for better decision making. Register here.

How do you know if an energy efficient project in your facility is worth pursuing? Join SaveONenergy and LAS on March 8 for a free webinar and take a deep dive into the complexities of energy projects financing and life cycle costing. Space is limited. Register here today - Part 5 of the Municipal Series.

Municipal Wire*
The Invasive Species Centre with support from Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry opens the Invasive Species Action Fund intake. The fund assists municipalities in combating priority species. Apply by April 11.

The Ontario Farmland Trust is hosting a forum on March 21 to explore the importance of strong policy for farmland and environmental protection, succession planning for Ontario’s food system, and how municipalities can support land access.

Register for the “Building Healthy Communities: Uniting Experience, Research, and Practice for Ontario’s Age-Friendly Future” virtual conference. The free conference is organized into three themed morning sessions on March 20-22.

The Future of Aging Summit in Toronto from May 15-17 will bring together policymakers and others focused on building age-friendly societies. See the speaker lineup and register at agingsummit.ca.

Careers
Director Financial Management & Planning/Deputy Treasurer - Niagara Region. Closing date: March 21.

General Manager, Long Term Care Division - County of Lambton. Closing date: March 10.

Planner - Rideau Valley Conservation Authority. Closing date: April 5.

Chief Administrative Officer - Township of Stone Mills. Closing date: March 29.

Client Representative Assistant - Ministry of the Attorney General. Closing date: March 19.

Operations Policy and Research Analyst - City of Oshawa. Closing date: March 13.