In This Issue:
- Just launched: AMO's Make Your Municipal Move public campaign.
- Healthy Democracy tools and resources for 2026.
- Municipal Information & Data Analysis System (MIDAS) - important notice.
- New funding: Rural Ontario Development Fund: Second intake is now open.
- Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative.
- OSUM Conference: Save the date: April 29 – May 1 in Parry Sound.
- 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.
- The phase-out of mercury containing lamps has started.
- Webinar: Demystifying Job Order Contracting.
- Webinar: Municipalities Under Pressure One Year Later report update.
- IESO Webinar on Long Lead Time (LLT) Procurement.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
AMO's new public advertising campaign, Make Your Municipal Move, brings awareness to municipalities and highlights the diverse career opportunities that are available at the level of government closest to people and communities. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit , or email .
Resolve to foster healthier municipal democracy in 2026 with help from AMO. With the next municipal election just around the corner take a look at AMO Healthy Democracy tools and resources launched to help you strengthen participation in Ontario’s local governments.
The MMAH FIR system and all associated applications - reporting etc. including the MIDAS data feeds, will be down for a necessary system upgrade beginning on January 30, 2026. The maximum outage period is January 30, to March 1, 2026, inclusive. MIDAS will be operational, however no new FIR data will be uploaded during this time.
Provincial Matters
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
The 2026 annual OSUM Conference is in Parry Sound April 29-May 1. Save the date and stay tuned for information on registration, accommodations and programming!
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 phase-out of mercury containing lamps (fluorescent, metal halide, sodium, etc.) has started. Don’t get left in the dark with outdated lighting systems. Contact Christian to use our simple, turn-key Facility Lighting Service this year.
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*
HelpSeeker Technologies is hosting a webinar for policymakers, public servants, and sector leaders on January 27th at 12:00PM to discuss the newly released Municipalities Under Pressure report. Click here to register.
The IESO is hosting a webinar today, January 29 at 2 pm to discuss the design of the upcoming LLT procurement including community engagement requirements, and timelines for municipal support confirmations. You can also register for a municipal breakout session following the main session.
Careers
Vacant Unit Tax Compliance Auditor - City of Hamilton. Closing Date: February 4 2026.
Court Enforcement Officer / Agent d'exécution des actes de procedure - Ministry of the Attorney General / Ministère du Procureur general. Closing Date: February 10, 2026.
