Ashley MacDougall

About Me:

I’ve just recently started my new role with the City of Oshawa, but I bring a lot of experience from my previous position as Manager of Legislative Services and Deputy Clerk in a smaller municipality. There, I wore many hats, from rolling out provincial legislation to juggling multiple portfolios. It definitely kept me on my toes!

My journey in municipal government actually started when I was 16, working as a March Break camp counsellor. That turned into six March Breaks and six summers as a camp supervisor and recreation programmer. What began as a fun seasonal job ended up sparking a real passion for local government and community service.

Outside of work, I’m a proud mom to an 11-year-old son, which means I’m also a sports mom, school council chair, birthday party planner (yes, it’s a hobby!), comforter-in-chief, lifelong Toronto Blue Jays fan, and keeper of all things calendar-related. Between work, home life, and continuing education, things are definitely busy—but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Why did you get involved with/pursue a career in local government?

I spent six years working in recreation, starting out as a camp counsellor, then stepping into a supervisor, and eventually becoming a recreation programmer. Along the way, I got to work with all kinds of people across the municipality and saw firsthand how things really operate behind the scenes. That experience lit a spark — I was hooked. I’ve always been the type who actually looked forward to the government unit in school, or listening to my grandfather talk about and explain what things were like at his work (City of Toronto), so falling in love with municipal work wasn’t all that surprising.

Helping others has always been a big part of who I am. My parents raised us to pitch in wherever we could, and that stuck. Whether it was volunteering as a teen, joining my school council, or just offering a hand to someone in the grocery store, I’ve always felt pulled toward service. So, when the opportunity to work in local government came along, it felt like the right fit—even if the path to get here wasn’t exactly straight.

What is one thing members of the public would be surprised to learn about your role?

As part of my role, I manage several provincially mandated programs delivered through the municipality. One example is the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, which provides financial support to farmers and livestock owners when their animals are injured or killed by wildlife. Although our city is largely urban, the program remains active and essential for the small number of farms and producers still operating locally. I ensure these claims are investigated and processed fairly and efficiently, helping maintain support for agriculture within an urban setting.

What do you enjoy most about working in local government?

I absolutely love the connections we build in local government with other professionals who truly understand the work we do. Some of my closest friends and most trusted colleagues are people I’ve met through municipal government.

Service to others is a core value shared by many in this field, and it shows. People are always willing to help, support, and encourage one another. Whether it’s sharing resources, offering mentorship, or simply being there to coach through a tough moment, the sense of community is strong.

Local government can be tough. We’re often tasked with implementing decisions made at the provincial level, sometimes with little to no consultation, and many of us aren’t fully prepared or resourced to take them on, especially in smaller municipalities where one person wears multiple hats. The pressure on councils and staff has never been higher, and the challenges are real.

But through it all, the steady support from good, reliable friends and colleagues in local government is always there. They show up, cheer you on, and serve alongside you. That’s what I love most about working in this space.