In This Issue:
- Healthy Democracy Tools and Resources for 2026.
- Don't forget to submit your municipal Impact Stories!
- Municipal Information & Data Analysis System (MIDAS) - Important Notice.
- Free Information session for Youth Considering running for Municipal Office.
- Addressing Needs for Dynamic Populations Workshop.
- 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.
- Free Workshop: Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate.
- Webinar: Demystifying Job Order Contracting.
- Blog: Privacy Impact Assessments: A Strategic Imperative for Ontario Municipalities.
- It’s 2026! Time to post your Notice of Participation.
- Webinar: Municipalities Under Pressure One Year Later report update.
- Applications are open: AMCTO-Mitacs MIIP.
- Municipal Student Survey.
- IESO Webinar on Long Lead Time (LLT) Procurement.
- Upcoming Webinar: Low-Carbon Energy Framework.
- Careers.
AMO Matters
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.
AMO is developing a public affairs campaign to showcase the people and impact behind municipal work across Ontario – and we want to feature your career profile. From frontline roles to leadership, we want to show what it takes, and who it is, that keeps municipalities running. If you are interested in participating, this is the last call to complete the Impact Story Submission Guide and email your submission to workforce@amo.on.ca.
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.
Education Opportunities
Facilitated by current municipal leaders, these sessions will provide insights and strategies to build your understanding and confidence around how to become a candidate and running a campaign. View full workshop details and register here.
The CCBF team at AMO addressed changing populations at the 2025 ROMA conference. A workshop identified new strategies to balance existing infrastructure needs and growth needs.
You can now register for the AMO Regional and Single Tier Caucus Virtual Meet-Up meet. Scheduled for Monday, February 23 from 10am-12noon. We would love to hear from you on questions you have for Caucus Chair Riley Brockington. Send your questions to events@amo.on.ca. This is an important event to gain insight and share your thoughts. 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.
AMO’s Running for Municipal Office - Everything You Need to Know as an Underrepresented Candidate 90 minute free workshop provides useful insights and strategies to support you in getting your name on the ballot. While this workshop focuses on individuals from underrepresented communities, all are welcome to participate.
LAS
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.
Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) are no longer a theoretical best practice; they are a practical, strategic necessity for municipal leaders. LAS’ Freedom of Information and Privacy Program Management service partner, Vayle, contributes a blog explaining the importance of PIAs and how to start implementing them.
It’s that time of year again – ensure you comply with the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. If your municipality plans on using one or more LAS programs and services this year, be sure to post your Notice of Participation on your procurement website.
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.
Applications are now open for the next intake of the AMCTO-Mitacs Municipal Innovation Internship Program. This program offers municipalities a cost-effective way to identify, advance, and address innovation or research challenges by partnering with a post-secondary student interested in a career in local government. To learn more or to submit an application, Click Here.
AMO is partnering with the University of Waterloo’s Work-Learn Institute to better understand how municipalities can more effectively attract and retain the next generation. If you’ve supervised a student – or know someone who has – please forward them this short, anonymous survey to share their experiences. If you have any questions, please contact WGardiner@amo.on.ca.
The IESO is hosting a webinar on January 29 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.
Pollution Probe and QUEST Canada are hosting a webinar on January 27 at 11:00 to explore a new framework for benefiting from low-carbon energy innovation in Ontario rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Register here.
Careers
Planner I - County of Simcoe. Closing Date: February 6, 2026.
Director, Planning Services – City of Kingston. Closing Date: February 13, 2026.
