In This Issue:
- Annual Report - Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF).
- Call for Nominations for the 2026 - 2028 OSUM Executive Committee Election.
- AMO Launches Campaign to encourage participation in municipal elections.
- Help amplify AMO’s candidate attraction and voter turnout campaign!
- Check out AMO’s Using Social Media and Online Platforms Handguide.
- Ontario Heritage Framework Transformation: Archaeology Program changes.
- Applications Open for EASE Grant.
- Feedback Requested: Expanding the Canadian Navigable Waters Act.
- Ontario Webinar on Build Canada Homes.
- Introducing AMO Conference 2026 Keynote: Curse of Politics.
- New webinar: Mayor-CAO Relationship Series.
- Supporting your Run for Municipal Office in 2026: Resources and Workshops.
- Indigenous Candidates Thinking of Running for Office.
- Better Rural Data for Better Municipal Decisions - join ROMA TODAY at noon.
- OSUM 2026: The Small Urban Approach to Municipal Challenges.
- Preventing Escalated Behaviours Workshop: Practical Strategies for Safer Municipal Workplaces.
- Canoe JOC Event in Brantford.
- Stable natural gas rates all year long.
- Streamline Your Document Signing Process.
- Building Officials Training for Housing Permit Approvals.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
AMO released its CCBF Annual Report summarizing results from the investment of the Fund. Further details on CCBF activities, including progress on Asset Management, can be found in the Outcomes Report.
The Call for OSUM Executive Nominations election is open. Those interested in running for the 2026-2028 OSUM Executive Committee term are required to fill out the attached nomination form. Nomination form deadline for return is 4:00 p.m. on April 10, 2026.
AMO has launched its province-wide campaign, When You Believe, They Believe, to showcase the everyday leadership of Ontarians and how it can translate into municipal office. Visit whenyoubelieve.ca to learn more.
Together, we can equip candidates and voters with the motivation and tools in preparation for the 2026 municipal election. By sparking participation now, we can build healthier local democracies for the future. Visit AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project public affairs campaign page and download the toolkit to help amplify the reach and impact of this important campaign.
AMO's Using Social Media and Online Platforms Handguide includes practical tools and guidance related to moderating online platforms, navigating personal and official accounts and social media policies for consideration. This is one of seven guides included in AMO’s Leading with Respect Handguides, which all provide practical tools to help councils and staff manage conflict and foster a culture of civility. These Handguides are the result of a joint initiative of AMO’s Healthy Democracy and Workforce Development Projects.
Provincial Matters
The Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism is proposing changes to Ontario's Heritage Framework to streamline archaeological assessments and set criteria for evaluating Licensed Consultant Archaeologists’ compliance records. Provide feedback by April 5.
The Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant awards up to $60,000 for small capital projects for people with disabilities and older adults. Applications are open until May 7 at Ontario.ca/EaseGrant.
Federal Matters
Transport Canada needs feedback from the public on their discussion paper on the proposed expansion of the Minor Works Order under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act. Comments are due tomorrow, April 3rd.
On April 24th, Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada will host a webinar explaining Build Canada Homes’ portal and investment policy framework in Ontario. Register now over Microsoft Teams.
Education Opportunities
AMO is pleased to announce the Curse of Politics podcast as the 2026 AMO Conference keynote speaker. Get ready for a commotion of insights, arguments, opinions and an impossibly loud laugh or two. If you haven’t already, register today for the AMO Conference.
AMO and OMAA present the next Mayor–CAO Webinar Series session on upper-tier governance, featuring experienced CAO–Warden teams sharing practical leadership insights. Register here.
Through our Healthy Democracy Project, we have designed a number of workshops and information sessions to support those considering a run for municipal office and those running again in the 2026 election. We are also offering a range of resources in addition to the workshops. Register for workshops and access resources here.
AMO has expanded their Healthy Democracy campaign information workshops. We are now offering a series of workshops for urban Indigenous peoples interested in municipal office and running in the October 2026 elections. These sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and run a campaign. Register here.
HEAR Initiative (Health, Economics, Adaptation in Rural Communities Initiative) is developing a new province-wide rural data platform designed to support more informed decision-making in rural communities. Join ROMA for an interactive information session TODAY at 12:00 p.m. to learn how household-level rural data can help strengthen municipal planning, funding applications, council decisions, advocacy efforts, and long-term community resilience across rural Ontario. Register for the free session here.
Join your colleagues in the Town of Parry Sound, April 29-May 1, for the 70th Ontario Small Urban Conference. In celebration of small urban leadership, we have built a program featuring key issues from housing and homelessness, infrastructure challenges, incivility, weakened journalism, and strong mayor powers from the unique small urban municipal perspective. View program outline and register now.
In partnership with the Public Services Health & Safety Association, AMO is pleased to offer its members an interactive workshop focused on Preventing Escalated Behaviours. This session introduces practical, person-centred strategies to help recognize early signs of escalation, strengthen communication, and confidently and professionally respond to difficult situations. Register for the two-part May 7 and May 28 workshop now.
LAS
Join Canoe on April 8th in Brantford to learn more about Job Order Contracting (JOC), a new tool to modernize construction procurement. Register Here.
LAS offers a Natural Gas Program that provides stable and predictable annual commodity pricing for municipal accounts through professional management and competitive supply arrangements. Over the last 5 years, a typical LAS client has saved more than 7% on their commodity costs.
Streamline your document signing process with secure and authentic online digital signatures through the Electronic Signature service offered by program partner, Notarius by Portage Cybertech. Learn more.
Municipal Wire*
Help your building officials approve high-performance housing faster. Passivehouse Canada is coordinating a 12-hour online course to provide the technical tools to review complex projects in-house, reducing delays and permit backlogs.
Careers
Senior Advisor - Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Closing Date: April 14, 2026.
Team Lead - Ministry of Finance. Closing Date: April 16, 2026.
Senior Data and Quality Analyst - Ministry of Finance. Closing Date: April 16, 2026.
Data and Quality Analyst - Ministry of Finance. Closing Date: April 16, 2026.
Manager of Capital Engineering - Town of Innisfil. Closing Date: April 19, 2026.
Chief Financial Officer - City of Kawartha Lakes. Closing Date: April 12, 2026.
