Leading Council is AMO's head of council learning module for 2026-27, developed with the Institute on Governance as part of AMO's Local Leadership Foundations.
About the Program
Mayors and heads of council hold a distinct place in every community: the most visible local leader, the key contact for other levels of government, and the tone-setter for council and municipality, a role made weightier by recent Ontario legislation. This deeper dive is reserved for newly elected heads of council, informed by interviews with mayors, wardens, and other experts across Canada.
What you’ll work through
- The special responsibilities of the role, in meetings, as chief executive, and in emergency management
- Chairing effective meetings: keeping decorum, facilitating real debate, and guiding council toward consensus
- Models of mayoral leadership, including strong-mayor powers and recent legislative change
- Serving as the municipality’s ambassador and spokesperson, including with media and other governments
- Leading in your own context, drawing on the wisdom of experienced heads of council
How the module works
Like every Local Leadership Foundations module, Leading Council gives you two ways to learn.
Learn at your own pace
An online course featuring candid video and audio interviews with past heads of council, alongside plain-language explanations and links to go deeper. Available before your live session and as a reference throughout the term.
Learn with experts and peers
A live online session with our lead facilitators Mayor Cam Guthrie and Dr. Kate Graham, discussing the key issues and working through a deep dive case study with other heads of council from across Ontario, in a space built to be candid and supportive.
Hear from those who’ve held the role
Local Leadership Foundations is focused on bringing you real, heard-earned advice from practitioners across the municipal sector. As just one example, here's Jyoti Gondek, former Mayor of Calgary, on why chairing council is a different job from sitting on it, and why it asks you to operate in a different way.
Live session dates and registration
How to register: Register through Local Leadership Foundations by signing up for Leading Council as an individual module.
Live sessions: Facilitated by Local Leadership Foundations lead presenters Dr. Kate Graham and Mayor Cam Guthrie. When you register, you'll be able to choose from the following dates:
- Thursday, November 19, 2026 · 6–9 pm
- Saturday, December 12, 2026 · 10 am–1 pm
- Wednesday, January 13, 2027 · 6–9 pm
Pricing: $275 early-bird (through December 18) · $325 standard.
Bursaries: For AMO members, the first 200 registrations of any kind receive a $150 refund, first come first served. Made possible by Guardian Capital and PH&N Institutional, valued business partners of AMO Business Services and ONE Investment.
About the LLF Certificate: Leading Council is not required for the Local Leadership Foundations Certificate, but heads of council are welcome to take both.
Learn more about the full Local Leadership Foundations program
Learn more about AMO Education | Institute on Governance