In This Issue:
- Now available: Lead Where You Live - A Guide to Running for Municipal Council.
- We need your local municipal staff career spotlights!
- Municipal Energy Plan Program provincial funding.
- Sport Hosting Program applications intake.
- Build Canada Homes: Call for project proposals.
- Last week to apply: Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidy.
- Navigating Conflict Relationships as an Elected Official, March and May 2026 workshops.
- Rural Ontario’s Leaders conference update.
- New Dates! Seeking re-election or first-time candidate? AMO’s free workshop series is for you.
- Mastering Crisis Communications for Elected Officials - March 11 and 12.
- Mercury containing lamps are going…going…gone!
- Hunting for energy treasure in 2026.
- AODA Accessibility Solutions RFP now open.
- Blog: Smarter Procurement, Stronger Communities.
- Webinar: Navigate Healthcare-Related Procurement and Supply Chain Challenges.
- Online information session on the World Urban Forum 13.
- OPSBA Campaign: Help keep education close to home.
- Next week: AMO/OMAA Webinar - Impact of the Mayor-CAO relationship on workplace culture.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
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.
We need your help! 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. Submissions will be featured on the campaign website and 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 to share stories from your community.
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.
Municipalities with 50 or fewer full-time employees are eligible to apply for wage subsidies for summer work experiences targeting youth aged 15- 30 years old. Application window closes next Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 11:59 pm (PST). .
Education Opportunities
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.
Start your final year on council with educational, advocacy, and networking opportunities that will set you up for success. Also, hear from keynote speakers about why your leadership is more important than ever, as well as national issues from prolific journalist Chantal Hébert. Register today for the ROMA 2026 conference and plan to arrive Saturday to take part in discussion on ROMA strategic priorities.
If you missed AMO’s Healthy Democracy Leadership Series: Stronger Leaders, Stronger Communities workshop registration, we are offering new 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.
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
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.
LAS invites qualified vendors to propose scalable accessibility solutions for Ontario municipalities, including digital accessibility, accessible public infrastructure, training, and communication supports, to support province-wide AODA compliance and promote inclusive, accessible communities. Download the RFP from here.
Ontario municipalities are under mounting pressure to do more with less. Rising healthcare-related expenses, aging populations, and tighter budgets mean every dollar must be stretched further. Read more here.
Join a free webinar on December 9 to find valuable insights from municipal and healthcare supply chain leaders who are working to strengthen procurement practices, control costs, and build more resilient systems across Ontario.
Municipal Wire*
The UN-Habitat Canada Office would like to invite you to an information session on the thirteenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) on December 9, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EST. This session will gather a diverse community of urban thinkers and practitioners to address the growing global housing crisis and to highlight housing as the cornerstone of safe, resilient, and inclusive cities. Register here.
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.
Back by popular demand, AMO and OMAA are pleased to present the next topic in our Mayor-CAO Relationship Series. This conversation turns the spotlight on how the Mayor-CAO partnership shapes municipal workplace culture and why strong, trust-based leadership matters now more than ever. Register here for the free December 8th Session.
Careers
Ombudsman - Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Closing Date: December 18, 2025.
IT Systems Administrator - Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Closing Date: December 19, 2025.
