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 and book hotel accommodations today.

Program highlights:
Saturday, October 18, 2025: Strategies to encourage and increase voter turnout, candidate attraction and retention
An impactful day learning about AMO’s public affairs campaign that includes approaches, resources and tools to help: 
•    increase diverse representation across municipal governments, 
•    encourage more people to run or seek re-election for local government, and 
•    increase declining voter turnout. 

Explore a new voter turnout guide developed by AMO in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Democratic Engagement Exchange.

Sunday, October 19, 2025: Promoting civility and confronting harassment in Ontario municipalities

AMO’s Municipal Civility and Anti-Harassment Strategy is focused on supporting members in addressing the growing incivility, harassment, and threatening behaviour directed at municipal elected officials and staff. Conversations will range through:
•    trends in trust, polarization, and civic expectations
•    lived experience of incivility in public service
•    role clarity, neutrality, and navigating political/administrative tensions
•    municipal systems and oversight
•    journalism, social media, and the public sphere
•    practical solutions across a range of shared challenges

Mounting incivility and harassment are impacting staff recruitment, elected official retention and voter turnout. Join this important discussion to support real action as we work towards the 2026 municipal elections. 

Feedback from how the 1st Annual Healthy Democracy Forum went, take a look here, and hear what your colleagues thought:
•    “These two days were exceptional. Exactly what we need to get started in our community work.”
•    “The AMO Healthy Democracy Forum was engaging and inspiring. I felt validated in my experiences as a candidate and an elected official, and excited by the collaboration and ideas I heard from others across the province. Spending time with positive people who care about local democracy was very energizing for me.” 
•    “I'm so glad that I made the trip to Toronto for this forum. The timing is right for us to be strategizing for the next province-wide municipal elections and the forum lit a fire for so many of us who carry a passion and commitment for stronger and healthier local democracies towards 2026 and beyond.”
 

To see how the 1st Annual Healthy Democracy Forum went, 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.