With sweeping views of the lake, a challenging layout, and meticulous grooming from tee to green, it is evident why Deerhurst Lakeside has gained a reputation as a fair, fun and challenging course for players of all skill levels. The course was redesigned by Thomas McBroom in 1988, making Deerhurst Lakeside into one of Canada’s truly unique resort courses. The front 9 sweeps around Sunset Bay before making its way to the back nine, which gives way to picturesque views of the surrounding countryside as well as Peninsula Lake. True to the Muskoka landscape, you will find yourself hitting from elevated tees, approaching slick undulating greens from deep valleys, while being challenged by strategic water hazards and deep bunkers.

Room: Business Centre
 

Timing: 3 Hours
Deerhurst Resort’s treetop challenge courses are made of innovative games like suspended bridges, Tarzan swings, monkey cables and balance logs, and of course lots of zip lines to get your adrenaline pumping! All of our parks have a wide range of courses ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert so there is sure to be something for everyone in the group.

Inclusions: All equipment, training, and facilitators

 

Location: Tom Thompson Room - Live Streaming Room

Location: Ballroom 5

Combine the opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones with the chance to conduct a bit of business in a casual atmosphere. The Opening Reception and Trade Show will provide good food and a chance to win some valuable prizes, while exploring great new resources and services to make your job easier!

Location: Legacy Hall

Location: Pavilion Rotunda
 

Cost: Free

A Professional Yoga Instructor will lead you through Yoga poses and stretches for this class.
Inclusions: Certified Yoga Instructor, towels, mats

Location: Pavilion Terrace Deck (Weather permitting), or in the Pavilion Rotunda (rain back-up)

Location: Business Centre

Location: Legacy Hall
 

Location: Harris Room

At the root of every successful organization is a successful operating system - one that powers the value-creating applications critical to the success of your people like coaching, feedback, problem-solving, innovation, customer service and sales (to name a few). Effective conversation is a critical operating system that fuels great employee and customer experiences. It helps leaders achieve great business results.

Based on the book Juice – The Power of Conversation, this interactive training program combines experiential learning with real-world application to guide leaders and teams through a process of discovering the skills needed to make every conversation matter.

• Cheryl Haskett, VP Design & Delivery, Juice Inc.

Location: Lismer Room

Location: Legacy Hall

Video link (click here) Opening Ceremonies & Annual General Meeting – Including Plenary Address by the Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing

Location: Peninsula Room

Video link (click here) Opening Ceremonies & Annual General Meeting – Including Plenary Address by the Hon. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing

Location: Peninsula Room

ESCAPE CABIN

In your teams you will use teamwork to solve the puzzles and problems to free yourself and your group from the cabin. The cabin has something to challenge and engage everyone within the team.
Inclusions: Escape cabin, puzzles, clues, facilitators, all equipment and story

Followed by…

GUIDED HIKE

You will enjoy a 60 minute casual hike through tight trails with beautiful surroundings. Your guide will interpret the local wildlife, flora and fauna and take you to the LOOKOUT. A camera is a must as the view from the top is spectacular.
Inclusions: Naturalist Guide

*Lunch is included

Participants will meet at 9:45 a.m. in the Main Pavillion Front Lobby

Location: Legacy Hall

Michael “Pinball” Clemons
Canadian Football Hall-of-Famer | Founder, Pinball Clemons Foundation

Few people exemplify the qualities of personal excellence, teamwork, community leadership, and overcoming the odds better than CFL legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons. With boundless energy, Pinball’s talks centre on the potential for each of us to achieve anything we set our minds to. Unabashedly emotional and impactful, he shows audiences how to put heart into everything they do.

Location: Peninsula Room

 

Location: Legacy Hall

A. Getting Out of the Weeds and Carving Out More Time for Strategy

This workshop shares practical, real world strategies that busy municipal managers are using to carve out more time for leadership and other strategic priorities (even though other requests are waiting, email remains unanswered and someone wants us at a meeting). It’s about helping good performers better balance day to day service requirements and requests from elected representatives with time spent on longer term priorities like team development, “green” initiatives, community projects, economic development, etc.

• Doug Heidebrecht, Principal, Sun Mountain Self-Management

Location: Waterhouse 1, 2, 3

B. Procurement and Contract Fraud

The rise of procurement fraud in government which is having a direct impact of the costs of municipal services.  Recent cases show that municipalities are particularly vulnerable as much of its work is outsourced.  Public sector procurement fraud can occur at any stage of the contracting and procurement process. Appropriate controls, fraud prevention strategies and proper tendering processes are necessary in the fight against this fraud.

Strong partnerships between Council and staff is a requirement to effective municipal management. Often the lack of harmonization is caused by lack of understanding and agreement on roles for both Council and staff. Both Council and staff members have a responsibility to recognize these issues and work to resolve them. This interactive session will discuss roles and responsibilities, the changing dynamics of council, sources of conflict and practical approaches.

• Tammy Carruthers, BA CPA CGA CFE CICA PMP CLSSBB CCA MCITP CISA, Principal & CEO, WSCS Consulting Inc.

Location: Waterhouse 5
 

C. I've a Feeling We're Not in Kansas Anymore - The Culture Required to Deploy Electronic Document Management

Successful deployment of Electronic Document Management does not rely on a project timeline, it requires a change in behavior, both departmental staff, and Records Managers. The four seasoned clerks will speak to the culture shift required to deploy EDM in their small and big municipalities; what was key to their success, and what would they do differently… next time; and what is seen as detrimental to gaining control of information.  

• John Daly, CMO, Director of Legislative Services, and County Clerk , County of Simcoe
• Sharon R. Goerke, CMO, AOMC, Clerk, Township of Severn
• Alison Gray, BAH, CMO, AOMC, Clerk, Tay Township

Location: Waterhouse 4

D. Multi-Year Budgeting: Getting Buy-in

With the advent of Asset Management and the long-term analysis necessary to address municipal public infrastructure deficits, municipalities must improve their long-term planning abilities to facilitate the linking of strategic planning with long term financial planning. A step towards this goal is multi-year budgeting. Many municipalities are still challenged to have their annual budget approved by Council before the budget year starts, let alone have Council consider a multi-year budget. This session will highlight some of the work being done at small and large municipalities. The speakers will share their experiences and lessons learned, including thoughts on getting buy-in from staff and Council.

• Rick Charlebois, CAO/Treasurer, Town of Petrolia
• Audrey Webb, Deputy Treasurer, Town of Innisfil
• Stephen VanOfwegen, CPA, CMA, Commissioner of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Region of Peel

Video link click here

Location: Tom Thomson Room

Location: Hallway

A. Managing Conflict 

Participants learn that conflict is a normal part of human interaction. When addressed appropriately, it can even have positive outcomes including building collaborative relationships and more productive teams. Understanding the various conflict modes, participants learn when and how to apply modes that decrease conflict, help their staff provide better front line service and have more collaborative work teams. They will also learn how to better manage conflict in themselves and others. They will examine the managerial actions that may lead to conflict and the key managerial structures to prevent it.

• Andrea Moffat, Essential Communications Ltd

Location: Waterhouse 4

B. Integrated Long-Term Financial Plans : “If it isn’t financed, it probably will not happen”

Municipalities like people are no different. If you do not have the resources to fund a project, it likely won’t happen.  As James Frick said “Don't tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I'll tell you what they are.” While municipalities are generally more complex entities with more competing demands than individuals, the concepts of long term financial planning are the same. However, each municipality, like people, have unique demographics, asset profiles, services and programs. This uniqueness means that there is no ““one size fits all” approach to long term planning. 

This session will discuss Tools & Benefits in developing Integrated Long-Term Financial Plans  with the purpose of being finalized by the end of the new council term.

• Tammy Carruthers, BA CPA CGA CFE CICA PMP CLSSBB CCA MCITP CISA, Principal & CEO, WSCS Consulting Inc.

Location: Waterhouse 5

C. Human Resource Law Update

This session is a fast paced review of the most recent cases affecting municipalities in the areas of labour and employment law

• D. Alan Whyte, Professional Corporation, Partner - Labour and Employment, Cunningham Swan Carty Little & Bonham LLP
• Kalen Ingram, Lawyer, Cunningham, Swan, Carty, Little & Bonham LLP

Location: Waterhouse 1, 2, 3

D. Even Better Customer Service in a Municipal Environment

Through various conversations within our own municipality and amongst municipal colleagues we identified a need to introduce enhanced customer service training to front line staff; those who serve our internal and/or external customers. In order to address this growing need, Bonnie Munslow, Manager, Corporate Customer Services at the Town of Newmarket partnered with CSPN (Customer Service Professionals – a provider of customer service programs & services) to create and deliver a program that provides municipal staff with the training & tools to provide even better customer service to residents, members of council, and other stakeholders.

• Bonnie G. Munslow, Manager, Corporate Customer Service, Town of Newmarket
• Jamie Boyle, Customer Service Supervisor, Town of Newmarket

Video link click here

Location: Tom Thomson Room

Enjoy a great outdoor evening along the beach at the Deerhurst Waterfront, with food, fun and friends. Enjoy delicious BBQ while participating in or cheering on the kayak races.

Kayak Races

As part of the Beach BBQ, participants will be able to sign up for a team kayak racing event (3 ppl per team), an exciting event that is sure to entertain the crowd as the group cheers on their chosen team to win the Kayak Race of the afternoon!

Location: Deerhurst Waterfront

Evening Networking and Hospitality will be in the Deerhurst Resort Pavilion Rotunda

Cost: Free
 
A Professional Yoga Instructor will lead you through Yoga poses and stretches for this class.
Inclusions: Certified Yoga Instructor, towels, mats.

Location: Pavilion Terrace Deck (Weather permitting), or in the Pavilion Rotunda (rain back-up)

Location: Business Centre

Location: Legacy Hall Hallway

This session will introduce you to AMCTO’s professional designation for municipal clerks, and its point-based scoring system. Participants will gain tangible insights on what to consider when completing the Application.

Location: Harris Room

Join MPAC for a review of the 2018 Enumeration process and results including highlights, learnings and opportunities for future collaboration.

• Carmelo Lipsi, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
• Bev Disney, Account Manager, Municipal and Stakeholder Relations

Location: Lismer Room

A. Be Forward Focused! The Power of Positive Leadership

In this fun and interactive session, participants will be guided to develop their own 7 Step Plan for a Power Positive You® based on The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon. Participants will get on The Energy Bus and be an active participant within the story which is designed to harness the power of positive thinking. Be prepared to learn and be engaged in the creation of your own 7 Step Plan for a Powerful Positive You® and in the Power of Positive Leadership Assessment.

• Debi Wilcox, President, Meeting Solutions Group
• Anne Uecker, Clerk/Treasurer, City of St. Francis, Wisconsin

Chairs and Sponsor: Joanna Ying-Fiss, Robin Kotisa University of Toronto, Arts & Science Co-op Programs Scarborough campus

Location: Waterhouse 4

B. Walk A Mile Film Project - An Introduction

The Walk A Mile Film Project presents an overview of the issues and history impacting Indigenous peoples today and their relationship with the Crown and the broader non-indigenous society. The presentation will utilize 2 of the Project’s 5 documentary films to provide participants with an introduction to the Project and the issues it presents, along with how the Walk A Mile Film Project can be used as a professional development tool for municipal staff and an education tool in communities.

• John Hannam, City Clerk, City of Thunder Bay
• Ann Magiskan, Aboriginal Liaison, Office of the City Clerk Thunder Bay

Video link click here

Location: Tom Thomson Room

C. Developing a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan – Bill 175, Safer Ontario Act

This session will discuss Bill 175, Safer Ontario Act, specifically Section 187 which refers to every municipality developing a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan. This is an interactive session which focuses on the Act and the Planning Framework. 

• Dr. Hugh C. Russell, Social Psychologist, Community Justice Consultant, author of: Transforming Community Policing: Mobilization, Engagement and Collaboration; 2017
• Lianne Sauter, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk, Town of Bancroft

Location: Waterhouse 5

D. Implementing Asset Management Policy and Regulation
This session is an overview on implementing the second phase of O. Reg 588/17: Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure. The session will provide a brief overview of the strategic asset management policy
(requirement of phase 1) and how that will inform and shape phase 2,the development of an asset management plan for your core infrastructure. The session will detail what’s required under the next phase of implementation for O. Reg 588/17, elaborate on some key asset management concepts required for its implementation, and review some potential resources to help your municipality successfully implement this portion of the regulation in time for the July 2021 deadline.

This is an interactive session to discuss what your municipality needs to do with Implementing Asset Management Policy and Regulations. MFOA will also provide an overview of its Roadmap 2.0 and what just-in-time training and resources you need to get you there.

• Donna Herridge, Executive Director, Municipal Finance Officers' Association (MFOA)
• Colin Macdonald, Policy Team Lead, Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario (MFOA)

Location: Waterhouse 1, 2, 3

*Group to meet in the front lobby of the main pavilion building at 10:45 am

You will be taken on a 60 minute Pontoon boat cruise around Peninsula Lake, followed by a tour & tastings at 2 local Muskoka breweries.

* Lunch is included.

Location: Legacy Hall
 

A. Introduction to Mindfulness and Resiliency

Participants will have an opportunity to obtain an understanding of mindfulness and the value it can add to their personal and professional development. Mindfulness practices support healthy workplaces and personal wellbeing. During this presentation participants will obtain knowledge about the mental, physical, and emotional benefits of integrating mindfulness into their daily lives. Participants will gain an opportunity to learn how to monitor their well-being in 3 easy steps that will contribute to their resiliency journey.

• Randi-Mae Stanford-Leibold, Essential Communications Ltd.

Location: Waterhouse 4

B. Legal Update on Chronic Mental Stress Claims Under WSIB

As of January 1, 2018, employees with work-related chronic or traumatic mental stress may be eligible for benefits from the WSIB under its new chronic mental stress (CMS) policy. This expanded entitlement for mental stress under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act means all employers, specifically those with stressful workplaces, will need to take additional steps to reduce workplace stress, including harassment, bullying and workload issues, and minimize the existence of substantial workplace stressors in order to limit costly and complicated stress-related lost time claims.

• Asha Rampersad, Lawyer & Human Resource Advisor Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP

Video link click here

Location: Tom Thomson Room

C. How Might We Drive Innovation In Our Municipalities? - Sponsored by Juice Inc.

Innovation is a strategic lever you can use to make your municipality unique. While you no doubt recognize “why” innovation is needed, you may struggle with “how” to do it.

In this presentation, we will explain how municipalities can embed innovation as a key capability by equipping individuals and teams with a structured process and practical tools they can apply immediately at work.

• Rick Boersma, Co-Founder of Floworks Training, Lead Developer, Innovation in a Box training program, Juice Inc.

Sponsor: Juice Inc.

Location: Waterhouse 5

D. Question Box– Ask The Experts Panel

Based on popular demand, once again, AMCTO is offering a session where a panel of Municipal leaders and experts from several operation areas answer questions from delegates which have been placed in a ‘question box’ at registration, or sent in via survey and twitter.

• Rob Adams, Hons. BA, MPA, Chief Administrative Officer, The Municipality of Grey Highlands

• Bruce Beakley, CMO, Director of Human Resources, County of Renfrew

• Jody Johnson, Senior Legal Counsel, Legal Services, Legislative & Planning Services, Halton Region

• Kimberley Kitteringham, City Clerk, Legislative Services,  City of Markham

• Barb Koopmans, MPA, MCIP, RPP, CMO, Commissioner, Planning & Development, Town of Milton

MODERATOR: Jeffrey A. Abrams, Co-principle, Principles Integrity
 

Location: Waterhouse 1, 2, 3

Location: Peninsula Room

 

Sponsor: AMCTO Zones 1-9

Location: A.Y. Jackson Room
 

A. How to Engage Non-Financial People – ‘Letters and Picture Not Numbers’

The secrets to having a financial conversation with Council towards a successful budget and budget process. How to communicating and presenting the financial picture to new & incumbent Councillors so they understand budget outcomes and support business priorities. Learn from case studies that provide practical tips and advise on how to achieve budget buy-in by council in less time. 

• Show What Financial Statements Are or Are Not
• Why is Presentation Important
• Tips for Presenting Financial Information

• Rob Adams, Hons. BA, MPA, Chief Administrative Officer, The Municipality of Grey Highlands
• Philip J. Watkins, CPA,CGA, Independent Consultant

Location: Waterhouse 1, 2, 3

B. As We Forgive Those Who Tresspass Against Us: A Framework for Public Behaviour in Local Government

It is brand new session and will be “one for the ages!” A comprehensive framework that would bring together various principles, policies, procedures and by-laws aimed at setting expectations for proper public behaviour in the Council Chamber, at other public meetings or at any municipal facility with practical consequences that can be implemented and upheld. Not to mention providing a detailed analysis of the Ontario Ombudsman’s two key reports, “Counter Encounter” (May 2017) and “Press Pause” (July 2018) along with a host of recent court cases on the municipal use of the Trespass to Property Act. 

• Leslie Donnelly, CMO, Corporate Public Policy Advisor, City of Ottawa
• Rick O’Connor, CMO, City Clerk & Solicitor, City of Ottawa

Video link click here

Location: Tom Thomson Room
 
C. The Seven Questions of Change

What must we do to bring about a Change initiative as smoothly as possible? Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! How much, and for how long do we do this? Until we get sick and tired of the sound of our own voice – then we take a deep breath and a drink of water and we start all over again. Communication isn’t something that stops and starts; it’s a constant activity before, during and after any Change initiative. The problem arises when the questioning becomes a bit more detailed, “What exactly should we communicate?”

• Peter De Jager, Speaker/Writer/Consultant, De Jager & Co Ltd.

Location: Waterhouse 5

D. Ten Things You Don’t Know About the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

This session will be focused on the granddaddy of municipal accountability in Ontario – the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.  Recently amended by the Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act, 2017, this heavily criticized statute has been in place in its current iteration since 1972.  For such a short statute, it has engendered a remarkable amount of case law that is at times rather confounding. Come learn things about the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act that will surprise you!

• John Mascarin, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP

Location: Waterhouse 4

Join us at the annual AMCTO Gala Dinner, where we salute our outgoing AMCTO President and this year’s Prestige Award honouree. Enjoy an amazing plated dinner followed by exceptional entertainment.

Video link of 2018-2019 President's Speech & 2019 Prestige Award Presentation click here

Walk This Way - A Tribute to Aerosmith!

Walk This Way puts on an authentic tribute to the sights and sounds of the original Bad Boys from Boston. Walk This Way performs a wide variety of Aerosmith hits spanning four decades.

After Party
The party continues after the Gala dinner with rocking DJ Scott Pelling of Explosive Device Records keeping you on the dance floor until 1:00 am!

Location: Legacy Hall

Location: Business Centre

A. Internet Voting Standards During the 2018 Municipal Election

This presentation will reflect on the 2018 electronic elections research results and findings. Dr. Nicole Goodman and Professor Aleksander Essex from Western University will be presenting on the technical, operational and legal standards for online voting use that have just been newly developed . 

• Dr. Nicole Goodman, Assistant Professor at Brock University and Director, Centre for e-Democracy
• Dr. Aleksander Essex, Ph.D., P. Eng., Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada

Video link click here

Location: Tom Thomson Room

B. Navigating the ARB Appeals Process

The Assessment Review Board (ARB) implemented new Rules of Practice and Procedure at April 1, 2017. The new rules include significant changes to the responsibilities of municipalities (and all parties) related to assessment appeals. Assessment appeals can lead to steep declines in the collection of municipal property tax revenues from certain property classes. This can mean:

• Budgeting challenges
• Shifts in the property tax burden, often to residential taxpayers
• An impact on roads and other necessary infrastructure projects

In this panel presentation, members of the MPAC/Municipal Association Education Working Group will outline the recent changes made with the intent of educating municipalities about the appeals process.

• Georgia Ribeiro, Director, Case Management (MPAC), Licensed Paralegal
• Shira Babins, MPA, CPA, CA, Manager of Policy at the Municipal Finance Officers' Association (MFOA)
• Maureen Zabiuk, A.I.M.A., CMRP, Past President, Ontario Municipal Tax & Revenue Association (OMTRA)
• Grace L. Marsh, CMRP, CMM III, Licenced Paralegal, Director, Legislation and Past President, Ontario Municipal Tax & Revenue Association (OMTRA)

Location: Waterhouse 5

C. Cyber Threats & Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware has been an IT issue for many years and has recently become a mainstream topic as a result of some high-profile attacks. It is part of a multibillion-dollar online crime industry and thousands of new attacks are launched every day. Many Ontario businesses and several municipal governments have recently faced an attack on their computer systems with malware that encrypts data on those systems to disable them. The attackers then demand a ransom to unlock the compromised systems.

During this session you will learn about the prevalence of cyberattacks and also hear a first-hand account of dealing with a ransomware breach. Expert panelists will share insights on steps resource-strapped municipalities can take to protect themselves against breaches, and what key steps to take once you do experience a ransomware attack.

• Amanpreet Singh Sidhu, Director of Corporate Services, Town Solicitor, Town of Midland
• Anne Thompson, AIG Canada, Complex Claims Director, Financial Lines
• Sara Runnalls, FCIP, CRM, Vice President and Associate - Public Sector Risk Advisor, BFL Canada
• Vern Crowley, Detective Sergeant, Ontario Provincial Police, Cybercrime Investigation Team, GHQ Orillia, Ontario
• Frank Fazio, President, CySAT

Location: Waterhouse 1, 2, 3

D. Municipal Case Law Update

This session will be provide a succinct but comprehensive summary of recent judgments and decisions on municipal and planning law. The joint presentation will focus on recent rulings from the court and perhaps administrative tribunals that impact municipalities and what the consequences of these ruling may be for local governments.

• John Mascarin, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP
• Tom Halinski, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP

Location: Waterhouse 4

Location: Legacy Hall

Barbara Stegemann
Top Game Changer CBC's Dragons' Den| CEO and Founder, The 7 Virtues

Barbara Stegemann’s entrepreneurial vision was formed after her best friend—a soldier— was severely wounded in Afghanistan. Understanding that supporting Afghanistan’s economy was key to building stability for its people, Stegemann created The 7 Virtues, a company that sources organic, fair trade essential oils from countries experiencing turmoil.

Location: Peninsula Room

11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Closing Ceremonies

• 2020 AMCTO Conference Promotion and prize draws
• Conference Charity Presentation
• 2019-2020 President’s Inaugural Remarks

Video link click here

Location: Peninsula Room

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Closing Lunch

Location: Peninsula Room