Regular Sector Policy & Advocacy Updates
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As an Association, we continue to seek opportunities to support academic research that may benefit members and advance our advocacy initiatives. Part of our policy and government relations advocacy framework's objective includes serving as a conduit for municipal sector research…
The Ministry of the Solicitor General is seeking input on proposed amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015, through Bill 75, Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025, to enable the Solicitor General to set service standards for police record checks as well as help…
The Ontario Court of the Drainage Referee has decided that Ontario’s Drainage Act, 1990, applies to federal railways, and—like all landowners—they must pay the cost of municipal drainage work apportioned to their property. The decision comes from litigation between the…
The Ministry of Finance is seeking input into the development of the province’s 2026 budget. Municipalities and other interested parties can participate through taking a survey, providing a written submission, and/or attending a pre-budget consultation hearing. Submissions are…
The Digital Governance Standards Institute (DGSI) is initiating the periodic maintenance of its standard released last year: National Standard of Canada CAN/DGSI 111-1, Online Voting – Part 1: Implementation of Online Voting in Canadian Municipal Elections.
The standard…
On November 4, Prime Minister Carney’s Government announced its first budget since taking office this spring. The budget places a large focus on investing in infrastructure, reducing operational spending, and strengthening the economy by increasing productivity and…
Ontario’s fall red tape reduction bill, Bill 56, Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025, has received Royal Assent. This omnibus legislation seeks to streamline regulatory processes, advance labour mobility, and increase competitiveness, making changes to 31 different…
The government has introduced a new bill to promote the construction of new housing, with several proposals affecting municipalities.
If passed, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025 would:
Streamline approvals and site plan control
Undertake a section-by-…
The Ministry of the Attorney General is proposing changes to Ontario Regulation 747/21 “Permits” under the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 to expand the definition of “tailgate event” to include cultural and community events.
Tailgate event permits can be issued as…
The province has announced the 2026 allocations for the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF). The fund is increasing by $50 million, bringing the total funding to $600 million for 2026.
The OMPF is unconditional funding provided to 388 small, northern, and rural…
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