2013 Farmland Forum The Farm Economy & Rural Resilience: Coping with Climate Change & Rising Energy Prices

How are farmers and rural communities responding to climate change uncertainty and rising energy prices?

Join us as at the 2013 Farmland Forum as we explore the ties between a thriving farm economy, land conservation and rural resilience.

If you are a farmer, planner, municipal leader, policy maker or land conservation partner, you should attend!

For More Information & Registration Visit www.OntarioFarmlandTrust.ca

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AMO Report to Members communicate to: hdowd 01/29/2013 08:50 PM Hide Details From:

To:

TO THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF THE CLERK AND COUNCIL

January 29, 2013

AMO Report to Members

Highlights of the January 2013 Board Meeting

To keep members informed, AMO provides updates on important issues considered at regular AMO Board of Directors’ meetings. Highlights of the January 25, 2013 Board meeting follow:

Best Management Practices for Soil Management

The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) is seeking input on its document on Best Management Practices (BMP) for Soil Management – also known as Commercial Fill or Excess Soil. The Board approved AMO’s proposed response to the Ministry. While valuable as guidance, the BMP falls short of its potential to provide the most robust toolbox for municipalities especially regarding compliance and enforcement.

Contact: Cathie Brown, Senior Advisor, email: [email protected], Ext. 342.

AMO Response to the Social Assistance Review Commission (SARC)

The Board approved an initial response to the recommendations of the SARC, which would suggest establishment of a deliberative policy process with provincial counterparts to examine the benefits and

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risks of social assistance transformation. The Commission released recommendations that point to a potential shift in the municipal role of social services delivery including, assuming new responsibility for delivering the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and playing a greater role in delivering employment services. Given the magnitude of the SARC and breadth of recommendations and risk, the Board noted municipal interests that must be explored and addressed before decisions are made.

Contact: Michael Jacek, Senior Advisor, email: [email protected] , Ext. 329.

Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy and Water Sector Strategy

The Board received a report that highlighted key issues outlined in two recently released provincial water strategies – the Great Lakes Water Strategy and the Water Sector Strategy – and their potential impacts to the municipal sector. Both strategies are not legally binding but outline ongoing provincial water priorities such as quality and quantity management, the ongoing evolution of source water protection planning, improving municipal storm water management, as well as the development and implementation of new and innovative water technologies. AMO will continue to keep members informed when and if the government begins implementing the actions outlined in both strategies.

Contact: Craig Reid, Senior Advisor, email: [email protected] , Ext. 334.

Special Projects Update

December saw the release of the Best Practices in Cost Recovery for Municipal Water and Wastewater services report. It, along with an accompanying guide, was posted on the AMO website. The purpose of the report is to assist municipal governments move to full cost pricing and full cost recovery.

The Long­Term Municipal Integrated Capital Plan Project with the Municipal Finance Officers’ Association of Ontario (MFOA) is well underway, with ten municipalities providing the case studies. Most municipalities do five and ten year capital plans, but that does not capture the life of assets. This project looks at what 30 plus year horizon might look like and how it could improve and influence infrastructure funding. It is expected that a report will be prepared for members later in 2013.

Contact: Monika Turner, Director of Policy, email: [email protected] , Ext. 318.

Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario (MEPCO)

MEPCO's chair outlined some of this Board's recent work, including its input to the review of the OMERS governance. The report by the review facilitator was released as the Board meeting was underway. MEPCO will provide a summary and reaction as soon as possible. It will also be gearing up for the 2013 specified change proposal process as it continues to focus on proposals that OMERS should consider in order to achieve sustainability of the Plan and contributions. In addition, the invoices for membership have gone out and the fee has been reduced to reflect revised employee counts that it undertook with municipalities, since it cannot get this information directly from OMERS.

Contact: Bruce McLeod, OMKN Coordinator, email: [email protected] , Ext 350.

LAS Update

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The Board received an update regarding LAS ’ recently launched Energy Consulting Service. Five regional Energy Efficiency Service Providers (EESPs) are stationed across the Province to help capacity constrained municipalities conduct free energy efficiency audits and assist in completing grant applications. Why? EESP’s will help municipalities save money by reducing energy use, and comply with the Green Energy Act Regulation 397/11 . Check out LAS’ Energy Consulting Service on the LAS website .

Contact: Scott Vokey, Manager, Energy Services, email: [email protected] , Ext. 357.

DISCLAIMER These are final versions of AMO documents. AMO assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies that may have been transmitted with the electronic version. The printed versions of the documents stand as the official record.

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January 29, 2013

OMERS GOVERNANCE REVIEW REPORT RELEASED

Bicameral Board Structure Is Supported However Improvements Needed

The Report on the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) Governance Review 2012 http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=10049, prepared by independent Reviewer Tony Dean has been released by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH). The report outlines the Reviewer’s approach/principles, observations and a set of recommendations directed to the owners and operators of the pension plan on specific actions to make it stronger.

Background: As required by legislation, the Review looked at the effectiveness and efficiency of: 1) the OMERS governance model in representing employer, member and retiree interests and accountability; 2) decision-making by the Sponsors Corporation; and 3) the fairness of the governance model and OMERS financial stability.

Through some 26 meetings with sponsors and stakeholders and an assessment of 26 submissions, the Reviewer identified three key themes and areas for improvement, particularly greater cooperation and collaboration:

(a) the need for aligned, efficient and transparent decision-making processes with clear accountability structures (strategic planning, plan growth, membership growth, plan changes and plan funding); (b) fairness in the operation of the OMERS Administration and Sponsors Corporation Boards (communications and representation); and (c) the presence of high-level expertise and capacity on the Administration Corporation Board (appointments process).

Reviewer’s Recommendations: Dean concluded that the best solutions to OMERS governance issues will be based on the consensus of plan owners and stakeholders and that the current OMERS Act provides both OMERS Boards with the latitude to act on the following recommendations:

(a) Aligned And Efficient Decision-Making Processes With Clear Accountability Structures Recommendation 1: The AC and SC Boards should move toward adopting one OMERS strategic plan.

Recommendation 2: Given that SC and AC Boards have approved principles and process agreements on plan growth, plan changes and actuarial valuations and assumptions, developed between the Chairs and the Reviewer, the Boards should identify executive

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accountability for implementing these protocols, with quarterly reports on progress and outcomes.

(b) Fairness In Representation On Both Boards Recommendation 3: The SC Board should continue to review the process for selecting chairs or co-chairs to ensure that board members have confidence that equitable decisions are being made and that AMO and CUPE consider, from time to time, supporting representatives from other sponsor organizations for co-chair positions.

Recommendation 4: The AC and SC Boards should develop a comprehensive communications strategy for improved sponsor and stakeholder relations as an organizational priority, reach out proactively to stakeholders and create an advisory committee or alternative engagement forum, in collaboration with representatives of unaffiliated members, small unions and retiree groups not represented on the Boards, to enable feedback from representatives on issues affecting the operation of the OMERS Plan.

Recommendation 5: Associations representing unaffiliated members should work together to find an equitable method for choosing advisory committee/forum representatives and for working together on pension issues.

(c) High-Level Expertise And Capacity On The Administration Board Recommendation 6: The AC and SC Boards should work collaboratively on a fast track plan to improve the capacity of the AC Board, with a majority of members with demonstrated experience/skills in governance, investments, risk management, law, accounting, human resources, strategic planning and government relations. Specific mechanisms are recommended to move towards a higher capacity AC Board including an implementation plan, a capacity matrix aligned with Board skills, an assessment of current Board capacity relative to the matrix and a transition plan to accelerate Board appointments to address capacity gaps.

Recommendation 7: Priority should be given to a strong independent AC Board Chair, as a new Board position to be filled by the fall of 2013. The new Chair should have specific leadership, public profile attributes and knowledge of finance and good governance. Both OMERS Boards should be involved in the recruitment process, which should begin immediately.

(d) Implementation Of The Recommendations Recommendation 8: The Boards with responsibility for specific recommendations should respond quickly and implementation should be a top priority for all OMERS officials, with completion within 12-18 months. Special purpose joint Board meetings should be scheduled in the spring and fall of 2013 to assess progress and a written report on implementation of the recommendations should be submitted to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, within one year of the public release of the report.

200 University Avenue, Suite 801, Toronto, ON., M5H 3C6, Canada

Our Next Steps:

The Plan’s well-being is a shared interest of all sponsors and members (enrolled and retired) but it ultimately rests with the decisions of both OMERS Boards. Underlining many of Dean’s recommendations is the need to develop a more collaborative and inclusive approach between the Boards themselves and a stronger relationship with OMERS membership.

At AMO/MEPCO, we are committed to seeing the OMERS Boards work in partnership to implement the Reviewer’s governance improvements. We strongly support an independent chair for the Administration Corporation and that it is a clear and timely priority. How added expertise can be brought to that Board’s competency profile will be a matter for the MEPCO Board to consider. MEPCO will be interested in seeing the OMERS work plans that fall from the Reviewer’s recommendations, and how progress is to be measured. MEPCO will be looking to its representatives to move this forward.

AMO/MEPCO remains committed to the sustainability and affordability of the OMERS plan for employers, members and for municipal taxpayers.

For more information on the Reviewer’s terms of reference and other information on the review can be found at http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page316.aspx.

The Municipal Employers Pension Centre of Ontario (MEPCO)

MEPCO is a not‐for‐profit corporation, created by AMO, to ensure that its employer representatives on the OMERS Sponsors Corporation and Administrative Corporation are informed, well‐resourced and supported by leading pension expertise. MEPCO can raise and manage funds, hire experts who will provide appropriate research and information, and share insights with others as needed.

200 University Avenue, Suite 801, Toronto, ON., M5H 3C6, Canada

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AMO Breaking News - Kathleen Wynne Priority Summary communicate to: hdowd 01/30/2013 03:35 PM Hide Details From:

To:

TO THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF THE CLERK AND COUNCIL

January 30, 2013

Here’s what Premier-Designate Kathleen Wynne has said so far about her priorities (A quick summary of sound bites this week and during the convention)

• Will stay the course on the economic plan to eliminate the deficit by 2017­18 and as part of her leadership campaign committed to restricting overall spending increases to 1% below GDP growth after 2017­18 until Ontario's debt­to­GDP ratio returns to 27% (the pre­recession 2007 level). (As provincial budget constraint responses continue to be identified, AMO remains firm that it will help government find efficiencies, but the upload Agreement we have with the government must not be delayed) . • Wants to move forward to implement the Report of the Commission on Social Assistance Review which identified a large number of recommendations and she is asking for an implementation plan. (Improving how those in need receive services is a shared interest but from AMO’s perspective, if service functions such as Ontario Disability Support Program are to be transferred to and integrated with Ontario Works, then the upload Agreement and full mitigation of any impacts on property taxpayers need to be part of any transfer agreement). • Solving gridlock in Greater Toronto Area/Hamilton region and other urban areas is about how best to do this in terms of revenue tools; if not; calls on federal government to work on a dedicated national transit fund. (AMO recognizes the need for transit funding mechanisms to get the most of the lifecycle of the current system while at the same time expanding systems to deal with current capacity and growth needs). • Will continue to build on other infrastructure investments (AMO has called for a dedicated roads

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and bridge fund and with the Province a joint framework for going forward was produced in 2012).

AMO will track any future commentary on priorities during the transition and the days going into the Throne Speech. (The Throne Speech can be expected shortly after the resumption of the Ontario Legislature which is likely to occur on February 19th). Our work on profiling key priorities, some of which include: changes to make arbitrators more accountable and transparent; looking ahead at municipal fiscal sustainability; changes to the Municipal Election Act before 2014; advocacy on infrastructure program design; impacts of source water protection; and how we can build more predictability into the land use planning and decision­making process.

In congratulating her, AMO President said that the Association acknowledges her strong belief in the role municipal government plays in making Ontario successful. From our experiences with her as former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, in Transportation and as a Co­Chair of the AMO­ Province Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) meetings, we know she wants ideas and will explore options and that this comes about from open and frank discussions. The MOU Table is a valuable pre­ consultation tool and joint problem solving forum that we are confident members of her Cabinet will want to use more extensively.

Yesterday, Wynne rounded out her Transition Team. It is led by Monique Smith, former MPP and Cabinet member and includes:

• Tom Allison: Kathleen Wynne Campaign Manager • Arnold Chan: Vice President, Aboriginal Affairs and General Counsel, Xeneca Power Development Inc. and former political staff advisor • Bernadette Clement: Lawyer at the S.D.G Legal Clinic and former Cornwall City Councilor • David Crombie: Former Member of Parliament and Mayor of Toronto • Tony Dean: Former Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council • Don Drummond: Chair of the Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services (Drummond Report) • Jan Innes: Vice President of Public Affairs of Rogers Media and former Executive Assistant to Premier David Peterson • Frances Lankin: Co­Chair of the Social Assistance Review Commission, former Ontario MPP (NDP) and former Cabinet Minister • Dr. Ben Levin: Canada Research Chair in Education Leadership and Policy at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education • Lyn McLeod: Former Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party and former Cabinet Minister • Glen Murray: Former Minister of Research and Innovation and was Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities until resigning to run as a candidate • Elaine Todres: Former Deputy Minister and was involved in previous provincial public service ‘transformation’ • Angus Toulouse: Regional Chief of Ontario and from the Sagamok Anishinawbek First Nation and an elected member of the AFN Executive Committee • Greg Sorbara: Former Minister of Finance and former Ontario Liberal Party Campaign Co­Chair • Hari Suthan Subramaniam: Former Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development and Trade • Maria Van Bommel: Former Member of Provincial Parliament, Lambton—Kent—Middlesex.

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The swearing of Premier ­Designate is to be sometime next week. We will keep members informed on a number of the Cabinet postings since municipal government is directly affected by so many Ministries as well as the broader community interests.

Contact: Monika Turner, AMO Director of Policy at [email protected] or 416­971­9856 ext. 318

PLEASE NOTE AMO Breaking News will be broadcast to the member municipality's council, administrator and clerk. Recipients of the AMO broadcasts are free to redistribute the AMO broadcasts to other municipal staff as required. We have decided to not add other staff to these broadcast lists in order to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the management of our various broadcast lists.

DISCLAIMER These are final versions of AMO documents. AMO assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies that may have been transmitted with the electronic version. The printed versions of the documents stand as the official record.

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January 31, 2013

In This Issue - 2012 Ontario-AMO Joint Annual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Statement. - Proposed changes to the Endangered Species Act implementation. - Straphangers author examines Urban Transit at the 2013 AMO Urban Symposium. - AMO AGM and Annual Conference registration now open. - Learn more about LAS Programs and Services at no cost 2013 regional sessions. - Ontario Government releases OMERS Governance Review Report. - Career opportunities with AMO, Niagara Region, OPS, and Housing Services Corporation.

Provincial Matters The joint MOU statement highlights the accomplishments made through the AMO-Ontario partnership table and also provides an overview of the expected 2013 areas for discussion.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is seeking input on its approaches to improving the implementation of the Endangered Species Act. Submissions to the Ministry are due by February 25, 2013.

Eye on AMO and LAS Events Straphangers author Taras Grescoe envisions a future with convenient, affordable and sustainable urban transportation. Grescoe presents his inside story on the world’s transit systems at the 2013 AMO Urban Symposium, April 18-19th, Novotel Mississauga. A finalist for the 2012 Writers Trust Weston Prize, this Toronto born Montreal resident offers his insight on how to reduce the damage of car-centric city planning. Space is limited, register today!

Take advantage of the early bird registration rates for the AMO AGM and Annual Conference now. Registration forms can be downloaded from our website for the Conference to be held August 18-21, 2013 at the Ottawa Convention Centre.

Learn how your municipality can leverage LAS’ experience, programs and leadership to help you save money and do more for your municipality. Plan to attend one of our no-cost regional seminars. Register today!

MEPCO – The Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario Reviewer Tony Dean has issued his report on OMERS Governance, which confirms that the current two-Board structure is working and also outlines specific actions to strengthen Plan governance. MEPCO’s reaction to the Report is posted on the MEPCO website.

Career Opportunities Policy Intern - AMO. Assisting Senior Advisors and the Director of Policy, the successful candidate will support AMO’s policy development process. Please apply in confidence by email to [email protected], by February 1, 2013.

Deputy Regional Clerk - Niagara Region. To explore this opportunity and apply online, click on ‘Careers,’ Job Opening ID: 9727. Closing date is February 7, 2013.

ADM, Policy and Dispute Resolution Services Division - Ontario Public Service. Location: 400

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University Avenue, Toronto. Please apply online, by February 6, 2013, by visiting Ontario Careers and entering Job ID 50345 in the Job ID search field. Please follow the instructions to submit your application.

Policy Analyst - Ontario Public Service . Location: Toronto (Municipal Finance Policy Research Unit). Please apply online, by February 12, 2013, by visiting Ontario Careers and entering Job ID 49067 in the Job ID search field. Please follow the instructions to submit your application.

Policy Analyst - Ontario Public Service . Location: Toronto (Municipal Finance Policy Research Unit). Please apply online, by February 12, 2013, by visiting Ontario Careers and entering Job ID 49068 in the Job ID search field. Please follow the instructions to submit your application.

Chief Executive Officer - Housing Services Corporation (HSC) . For a more detailed job description, please visit the HSC job board . Please send your cover letter and resume to [email protected] on or before February 19, 2013.

About AMO AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario's and Canada's political system. Follow @AMOPolicy on Twitter!

AMO Contacts AMO Watch File Team Conferences/Events Policy and Funding Programs LAS Local Authority Services Limited MEPCO Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario OMKN Ontario Municipal Knowledge Network Media Inquiries Tel: 416.729.5425 Municipal Wire, Career/Employment and Council Resolution Distributions

*Disclaimer: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned.

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