AMO Watchfile - May 1, 2025

- AMO releases Engaging Youth in Local Democracy report.
- AMO’s Guidance Resources on Electricity Procurements.
- Emergency Preparedness Week: May 4 - 11, 2025.
- New Health and Safety Water Stream fund.
- Nominations open for Medal of Distinction in Public Administration.
- Join the timely conversation on democracy: AMO’s Rural Healthy Democracy Forum.
- Join your colleagues at the AMO 2025 Conference.
- Submit your application for the PJ Marshall Awards.
- Before you know it, it's August! AMO 2025 Conference trade show selling out fast!
- Teeny Tiny Summits 2025 line-up - Registration is open.
- AMO Trade and Tariff Forum - June 6.
- Planning for people in your community: May 8 virtual workshop.
- All Risk Municipal Grant applications due today.
- Virtual Net-Zero Workshop registration now open.
- AMCTO-Mitacs Municipal Innovation Internship Program.
- Ontario Bike Summit.
- Net-Zero Communities Accelerator Program coming to Ontario.
- Careers.

AMO Matters
Improving the health of local democracies requires a renewed focus on engaging the young people in our communities. Through AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project and in partnership with Apathy is Boring, we’ve developed a new Engaging Youth in Local Democracy resource that will help you learn how to better engage youth in your communities with actionable strategies and tactics for elected officials, municipalities, and public sector organizations.

AMO has developed resources to help municipal decision makers considering electricity generation and storage projects protect residents, sensitive lands, and municipal finances while securing local benefits and supporting growth.

Provincial Matters
Ontario’s theme for Emergency Preparedness Week, “Plan for Every Season”, encourages residents to stay safe, practiced, and prepared. Access digital resources through Publications Ontario or order your print materials today.

Intake is open for Ontario’s new Health and Safety Water Stream fund to help municipalities and First Nations build, repair and expand aging water infrastructure. Apply now!

Nominations are open for the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal of Distinction in Public Administration, Ontario’s highest honour for public service. Nominate a colleague from your municipality by June 27,

Education Opportunities
Partnering with the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA), AMO’s Rural Healthy Democracy Forum will bring together municipal and sector leaders, academics and experts for insightful discussions on the state of democracy in rural Ontario. Register today as there is limited space available.

AMO’s 2025 Annual Conference is back in Ottawa. In this unprecedented time, coming together with municipal and provincial and key sector partners is more important than ever. Register for AMO 2025 and book your accommodations today.

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.

Connect with over 3,000 of Ontario’s municipal leaders representing Ontario’s 444 municipalities and a $68 billion sector at the AMO 2025 Conference in Ottawa this August. Click here to download the Exhibitor Package and here for the Sponsorship Package. Limited space available.

ROMA in partnership with the Minister of Rural Affairs, are happy to share the 2025 Teeny Tiny Summit line-up. These compelling events are designed with innovation in mind for Ontario’s rural communities. Registration and information is available for the Summit in Manitouwadge and Prince Edward County.

In this unprecedented time, AMO is holding a forum on tariff and trade disruptions, their impact on Ontario municipalities and business sector, and how municipalities and business can seize new opportunities to improve economic resiliency and mitigate the impact of tariffs. Register today.

Land use planning is a complicated matter. This workshop equips councillors with the skills and knowledge necessary to secure funding, build community trust, ensure legal compliance, drive local economic growth and more. Register for the May 8 Unlocking Opportunity through Understanding Human Rights Based Approach to Municipal Planning workshop.

LAS
Applications for the All Risk Municipal Grant are due today by 4 pm EST. Three municipalities will receive $10,000 towards their risk management initiative. Enter your risk project today!

Have you registered for LAS’ virtual net zero workshop yet? Join us online on June 18 to learn how you can cut energy costs, boost savings and incorporate low carbon initiatives in your municipal buildings. Register today.

Municipal Wire*
The AMCTO-Mitacs Municipal Innovation Internship Program is an application-based program that matches Ontario municipal governments with post-secondary students studying in Ontario. Ontario municipalities can now submit their project proposal(s) for consideration by May 9. The internship program will take place from January-August 2026.

The Ontario Bike Summit, Canada’s largest cycling and active transportation conference, will be in Windsor from May 27-29. Be inspired by success stories including enhancing infrastructure and design, citizen safety and economic development.

Small and mid-sized Ontario municipalities are invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in Quest Canada’s Net-Zero Communities Accelerator program by June 13.

Careers
Zoning Officer - Town of Halton Hills. Closing Date: May 21, 2025

Manager of Operations - County of Renfrew. Closing Date: May 14, 2025

Chief Executive Officer - Grand Erie Public Health. Closing Date: May 28, 2025.