AMO Watchfile - March 14, 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.
- AMO Conference - Early Bird Rate closes March 18.
- OSUM 2024 Conference - Program release.
- Cyber Security Education for Municipal Councilors - NEW registration rate.
- What is digital accessibility and why does it matter?
- Advanced Councillor Training Series to Revitalize Your Leadership.
- 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.
- LAS webinar: LiDAR, Imagery, and AI for a High-Tech Future.
- LAS consulting service for municipal energy reporting.
- City of Elliot Lake named finalist in Top 4 Community Kraft Hockeyville!
- Invasive Species Action Fund.
- Ontario Age-Friendly Communities 2024 Conference.
- Future of Aging Summit: May 15-17.
- Careers: City of Vaughan and Peel Regional Police.

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
Register for the AMO 2024 Conference by March 18 to access the early bird registration rates.

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 workshop.

Join our Barrier-free Website Builder service partner for a 3-part webinar series that will introduce digital accessibility, the principles and standards governing accessibility, and more.

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 March 22 Session 1 workshop, May 29 Session 2 workshop, and the October 2 Session 3 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 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.

LAS
Discover the potential of LiDAR, imagery, and AI in supercharging your asset management initiatives, regardless of community size. Join Streetscan on March 20 at 10am to learn new developments in the LAS Road & Sidewalk Assessment Service. Register here.

With the July 1, 2024 energy reporting deadline less than 5 months away, it’s time to update your 5-year Conservation Plan. LAS is here to help with a limited time energy consulting service. Get started today - contact us for more information.

Municipal Wire*
Elliot Lake was named as a Top 4 Finalist for Kraft Hockeyville, the only Ontario community to be in this year’s contest and they are looking for all of Ontario’s support for votes! On March 29 and 30, please visit Kraft Hockeyville and vote for Elliot Lake. There is no limit to how many votes you can cast so don’t miss your chance to vote!

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.

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
Specialist, Enterprise Data and Information Governance - City of Vaughan. Closing date: March 22.

Executive Assistant - Peel Regional Police. Closing date: March 24.