s
Presentations
provided by speakers at the 2011 Ontario West Municipal Conference are
listed below. Please click on the speakers name to download a PDF copy
of the presentation. If handouts were provided in the session we have
done our best to provide copies of those as well. Please note some
presentations are not available for public
posting.
Concurrent Sessions: 10:45 a.m. - 11:45
a.m.
(1) Planning 101
– Understanding the World of Planning
In this session you will learn
about Ontario's Land Use Planning System and gain some valuable insight
into how it works and the important role you play in making planning
decisions. You will learn about jurisdictions of authority and enhance
your knowledge of provincial planning policies. Come hear what the world
of planning has to offer!
(2) Financially
Sustainable Municipalities – The Next Generation
The term
“sustainability” has been gaining much attention around the
world from many angles: environmental, personal and financial. There are
many definitions that attempt to reflect the intent of financial
sustainability, all with one common thread – to balance
today’s services with tomorrow’s needs. In this session, the
financial sustainability road map and maturity model will be explored as
well as the key principles for financial sustainability. These tools
will assist your municipality to assess its current state of
readiness and
provide some practical steps to move towards improved long term
financial sustainability. The session
applies to all municipalities regardless of size, composition or
demographics.
(3) Creating a Food Revolution
A Healthy Community Food System Plan for
Sarnia-Lambton proposes strategies for
building a healthier community, where everyone has access to, and can
afford to buy, safe and nutritious food that sustains the rural
community. Find out how Sarnia-Lambton stakeholders from the
local food system worked together to create the Food System
Plan and learn how this process can be applied
to your urban or rural community.
(4) Strength in Numbers – Enterprise &
Industrial Clustering
The Bluewater Wood Alliance is a
home-grown success story for SW Ontario. Arising out of a regional
economic development committee-sponsored study, this wood manufacturing
cluster shows how government and industry can work together to preserve
jobs, stimulate growth and improve the competitiveness of a group of
companies located in rural Ontario. The presentation will look at
the past, present and future of the clustering concept and its ability
to bring various stakeholders to the table.
For more information on the
Bluewater Wood Alliance visit their website at: http://www.bluewaterwoodalliance.com/ or this interesting article http://www.woodworkingcanada.com/r5/home.asp in Woodworking Canada magazine.
(5) Adapting to Climate Change - A Guide for
Ontario Municipalities
Fostering
development of safe and strong communities is a major priority for
municipal leaders. Based upon what is known about our evolving climate,
communities and governments need to proceed with urgency to
examine their vulnerabilities with respect to how these changes
could impact them. The session will introduce what Ontario has
done to get ready and introduce the Adapting to Climate Change: A Guide for Ontario
Municipalities tool.
Concurrent Sessions 1:30 p.m. - 2:30
p.m.
(7) Inside the Board Room:
Enhancing Your OMB Experience
While those who make planning decisions seek to avoid the Ontario
Municipal Board (OMB) at all costs, there is no way to completely
eliminate the possibility of finding oneself at the OMB. As a result, the next best thing to do is to make your OMB
experience less memorable. This session will
present tips and tactics (but no tricks) on what you can do both pre and
post OMB appeal to improve your effectiveness and efficiency at the
OMB.
(8) Using Community Improvement Plans for Local Economic
Success
As global
economic trends continue to influence local economic realities, the need
for municipalities to adapt has never been more crucial.
In this regard, the transition from manufacturing to a
more diversified economic base requires the need to consider the re-use
of existing brownfield sites. As well,
fiscal pressures require municipalities to look at promoting compact
urban form and more liveable communities. This session will provide an overview of how community
improvement plans can help municipalities stay on track to economic
prosperity.
(9) Local Government 2.0: How New Technology & Social Media
can change how Municipalities Communicate
Residents and
businesses need information about local government services, and are
used to getting information online, and quickly. Municipalities are working hard in the new economy to
communicate how they are delivering those services more
effectively. Learn about the City of
London's strategy to engage residents and businesses online and improve
local service delivery.
(10) Re-Think, Resource, Re-Tool to Promote Community Regional
Economic Development
Regional collaborative approaches for enhancing job
creation and economic growth are an emerging trend. Municipalities,
businesses, academic and economic organizations are banding together and
gaining synergies made possible when broad stakeholders come together
with industry clusters to build on regional community
assets.
The Interministry Community Development Initiative
(ICDI) is a coordinated and collaborative one-table approach to
provincial economic programs and services where local decision makers
can gain easier access to provincial expertise and program advice. Come
see how you can re-think, resource and re-tool to promote economic and
community development opportunities in your community.
(11) Building Futures Together: Long-Term Affordable
Housing Strategy
The Provincial Government has released its Long-Term Affordable
Housing Strategy with a vision to improve access to adequate, suitable
and affordable housing and provide a solid foundation on which to secure
employment, raise families, and build strong communities. On May 4th,
2011, the Housing Services Act, 2011, which implements aspects of the
Strategy, received Royal Assent. Come to this session to better
understand a new partnership between the province and municipalities,
changing roles and responsibilities in a new housing system, and learn
about the future of the housing
programs.
(12) Top
Tips For Municipal Strategic
Planning
Municipal strategic planning is a process for
defining a direction, or strategy, and making decisions about the
implementation of the strategy. Come and hear from senior
municipal administrators about their experiences in helping
councils develop strategic plans, and learn key points to take back
to your municipality.
|
