AMO's 2nd Annual Healthy Democracy Forum

October 18 – 19, 2025 
Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto, Ontario


The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is hosting its 2nd annual Healthy Democracy Forum. The 2025 Forum will focus on two significant strategic initiatives underway to support AMO’s members in the lead up to the 2026 municipal elections and beyond.

AMO’s second annual Healthy Democracy Forum will focus on a number of key elements in local leadership coming out of AMO’s commitment to and work on healthy democracy.

Focused on two key strategies underway by AMO: civility and anti-harassment as well as our public affairs campaign supporting voter turn out and running for council, you have the opportunity to learn, shape and inspire our work in these areas. 

Our goal is to bring together municipal leaders, sector leaders, academics, and others to create lasting, positive momentum and change.

With a mix of keynotes, panels, and interactive workshops, attendees will engage in thought-provoking conversations and explore ways to strengthen civic participation and governance in your communities.

Register today.

October 18: Increasing voter turnout, candidate attraction & retention

09:00 – 09:30 | Opening & Forum Framing
  • Traditional opening and address by Indigenous Knowledge Keeper: Eddy Robinson, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper
  • Welcome from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 
    • AMO President, Robin Jones 
    • AMO Executive Director, Lindsay Jones 
09:30 – 10:15 | Turn Up the Turn Out

Launching AMO’s new resource developed in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)—Turn Up the Turn Out: A Resource on Voter Participation in Local Elections. An exploration of what impacts voter turnout, structural barriers, educational gaps and motivations to vote. And the encouraging strategies and examples of approaches to improve voter turnout.

  • Speakers: 
    • John Beebe, Founder, TMU’s Democratic Engagement Exchange  
    • Stewart McDonough, AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project Lead
10:15 – 11:00 | Panel 1: Get Out The Vote (GOTV)

A discussion with national leading GOTV practitioners about successes, challenges and the best paths forward toward encouraging greater voter participation in municipalities, including a focus on youth civic participation and voter turnout.

  • Moderator: Laura Wood, Co-Founder, elect HER Now
  • Speakers
    • John Beebe, Founder, TMU’s Democratic Engagement Exchange
    • Amanda Munday, Executive Director, New Majority 
    • Umair Ashraf, Executive Director, the Canadian-Muslim Vote
11:00 – 11:45 | Panel 2: Indigenous Outreach and Civic Inclusion

Municipal Indigenous leaders discuss and share best practices on how to build relationships and trust towards increased civic participation and voter turnout with urban Indigenous communities. This conversation builds from AMO’s newly released Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan.

  • Moderator: Eddy Robinson, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper
  • Speakers
    • Katelyn LaForme, Director of Indigenous Relations, City of Hamilton
    • Rozella Johnston, City of Brampton
The next 2 sessions are an opportunity to inform AMO’s public affairs campaign to encourage voter turnout and for more people to run and run again for municipal council in the 2026 municipal elections.
11:45 – 12:30 | Workshop: Creative Currency AMO Voter Turnout Campaign

The team from the award-winning agency Creative Currency will lead a discussion on ways to nudge and encourage people towards voting in the upcoming 2026 municipal elections. 

  • Speakers
    • Lauren McDonald, Vice President, Strategy, Creative Currency
    • Sarah Litchfield, Senior Digital Strategist, Creative Currency
12:30 – 1:15 | Lunch & Networking
1:15 – 3:15 | AMO’s Public Affairs Campaign Strategy

The Creative Currency team will walk Forum participants through AMO’s Campaign Strategy to attract and retain candidates seeking municipal office in 2026. This will include results from research and extensive interviews with partners and experts in the field, the campaign strategy, next steps and how to engage and promote this important campaign.

  • Speakers
    • Lauren McDonald, Vice President, Strategy, Creative Currency
    • Sarah Litchfield, Senior Digital Strategist, Creative Currency
3:15 – 3:30 | Break
3:30 – 4:00 | Fireside chat—Velma Morgan in Conversation with Zahra Ebrahim

A discussion surrounding two important pieces of research: Operation Black Vote Canada’s Black on the Ballot and AMO’s Mapping the Experiences of Diverse Candidates Running for Municipal Office in Ontario. Shared learning ranging from barriers through to solutions available for those seeking to run for office or seek re-election.

  • Speakers
    • Velma Morgan, Chair, Operation Black Vote Canada
    • Zahra Ebrahim, Co-Founder, Monumental Projects
4:00 – 4:30 | Keynote 
  • Mary Rowe, President and CEO, Canadian Urban Institute
4:30 – 4:45 | Closing ceremony
  • Eddy Robinson, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper

October 19: Increasing civility in local leadership

09:00 – 09:30 | Opening & Framing

Welcome from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 

  • Speakers:
    • AMO Membership Centre Director, Petra Wolfbeiss 
    • France Bélisle, former Mayor of Gatineau, in conversation with Joanne Chianello, Director, StrategyCorp 
09:30 – 10:15 | Data & Diagnosis 

A discussion about trends in levels of trust, polarization, and civic expectations. Join in an exploration of the concerns and experiences of municipal officials and that silver linings do exist.

  • Speakers
    • Andrew Parkin, Executive Director, Environics Institute 
    • Dr. Erin Tolley, Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race, And Inclusive Politics, Carlton University
10:15 – 11:15 | Panel 1: The Political Experience 

A panel discussion about the lived experiences of incivility in public service, and an exploration of the pressures of campaigning, council cultures, and social media. This panel also confirms that public service is more important than ever and that remedies exist.

  • Moderator: Tammy Hwang, Councillor, City of Hamilton
  • Speakers
    • Michelle Boileau, Mayor, City of Timmins 
    • Melanie Pilon, Mayor, Municipality of Wawa 
    • Stephanie Donaldson, Executive Director, Ontario Public School Board Association 
    • Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor, City of Burlington 
11:15 – 12:15 | Panel 2: Conversations from the Inside 

A discussion about the challenges that incivility and political tensions bring to the staff side of municipal leadership. And how to foster and nurture civil relationships with intent and respect. A discussion around recruitment, retention, role clarity, navigating political/administrative tensions, and how to maintain professionalism and your commitment to public service under public and political pressure. 

  • Moderator: Stacy Hushion, Vice President Government Relations, StrategyCorp
  • Speakers
    • Oliver Jerschow, CAO, Town of Innisfil
    • Sandra Datars Bere, CAO, City of London
    • Jessica Chase, Director, Health and Safety Communities, City of Hamilton
12:15 – 1:00 | Lunch & Networking
1:00 – 1:45 | Journalism, Social Media & the Public Sphere

A panel discussion about the impact of the shrinking local news environment on civility and accountability challenges that incivility and political tensions bring to the staff side of municipal leadership. A look at opportunity to counter this trend through emerging models, local outlets, community media and digital platforms.  

  • Moderator: Brian Lambie, President, Redbrick Communications
  • Speakers
    • Inori Rody, Associate Editor, The Local
    • Supriya Dwivedi, Former Senior Advisory to the Prime Minister and contributing columnist to The Toronto Star
    • Matthew Gray, Director of Public Policy & Media Partnerships, Torstar Corp (The Toronto Star)
1:45 – 2:15 | Democracy Fitness
2:15 – 3:15 | Thematic Solutions Workshops: Round One
  1. Civic Literacy & Public Education
  2. Support & Protection for Municipal Staff and Politicians
  3. Media & Information Ecosystems
  4. Council Culture & Leadership Development
  5. Systemic Levers: Provincial Role & Oversight Tools
2:15 – 3:15 | Thematic Solutions Workshops: Round Two
4:15 – 4:35 | Plenary Readout & Synthesis

Participants and moderators share key insights and ideas from their workshops. What were the cross-cutting themes and tensions. What feels actionable. Where alignment and opportunity to exist to strengthen our local democracies.

4:35 – 4:45 | Closing 
 

For reflections on our 1st Forum take a look here.

Registration:

Full Event: $150.00 +HST

Single Day: $75.00 +HST

Accommodations
Westin Harbour Castle, 1 Harbour Square, Toronto, M5J 1A6

AMO has secured preferred rates of $314 per night until September 25, 2025. After that date, rooms may be available at the Westin Harbour Castle at market rate.

Click here to book your accommodations

Register Here

 

Together, let’s draft a blueprint to a more engaged, informed, and vibrant local democracy.