December 2018 Issue

OPPI would like to wish all of our members, volunteers and partners a safe and relaxing holiday season, a happy new year and all the best in 2019! We would like to thank you for all of your hard work in helping OPPI spread the message about the importance and role RPPs play in informing choices and inspiring communities across Ontario. 
 
Just a reminder that the OPPI office will be closed for the holidays starting December 21 and will reopen on January 2nd.  

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As we reach the end of 2018, the upcoming holidays are a time to reflect and look back on the year that was. At the beginning of 2018, OPPI was eager to deliver greater value to our members through the INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan. This year has been a busy one with a lot accomplished. Here is a recap of the year that was:
 
Promote Professionalism:

• OPPI participated in the national five-year review of planning standards
• OPPI Council has directed staff to investigate another opportunity to update professional regulation legislation
• OPPI's By-Law Update passed allowing OPPI to update its Complaints and Discipline Committee structure

Build the RPP Brand:

• We continue to implement our communications strategy 
• OPPI Council engaged stakeholders on a variety of strategic planning issues including incorporating Indigenous perspectives in planning, technology and its impact on planning and climate change

Knowledge Exchange:

• OPPI introduced its new website to members 
• Several district co-creation events were held this year

Empower Member Ownership:

• Several surveys were sent to members to gather feedback on strategic planning issues
• OPPI took steps to enhance organizational transparency through several channels including social media and member eblasts

We look forward to another great year in 2019 of continuing to deliver educational and professional development opportunities and focus on progressing the INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan for members. 

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On November 22 and 23, the 2018-2019 OPPI Council met for the first time and took the opportunity to discuss a variety of strategic issues. 
 
On November 22, OPPI's Governance & Nominating Committee held its annual workshop with OPPI Council to discuss a variety of governance items and emerging topics in governance practice. This workshop also provides the opportunity for Council's newest members to learn about the responsibilities and duties of being a Director, and for existing Directors to receive a refresher on their responsibilities and duties. 
 
On November 23, OPPI Council welcomed several members and guests, including: David MacKay, RPP, Chair of OPPI's Professional Standards and Registration Committee, Brian Bridgeman, RPP, Chair of OPPI's Discipline Committee, Chris Tyrrell, RPP, OPPI's Professional Standards Committee Representative, Bruce Singbush, RPP, Director of the Professional Standards Board, Marcia Wallace, RPP, PSB Accreditation Program Committee Representative and Ron Keeble, RPP, former OPPI Membership Committee Chair and Registrar, National Membership Committee Chair, Planning for the Future Co-Chair (2000-2012), to a generative discussion about building capacity in professional standards knowledge and expertise.
 
The Institute recognizes the importance to build the capacity in professional standards knowledge and expertise so this knowledge is not lost as members transition or leave their volunteer roles over time. Part of the conversation also focused on enhancing the role and understanding of the mentorship and sponsorship process for members. At the end of the conversation, OPPI Council directed the Professional Standards and Registration Committee to formulate a program to maintain and build capacity for mentoring, sponsoring and supporting candidate members. OPPI would like to thank all of our guests for attending and participating in this conversation with Council. 
 
OPPI presented an update to Council on its new Learning Strategy. OPPI's Learning Strategy continues to foster lifelong learning and professional development among members with a focus on the "mega issues" and other topics as they come up through an "ever-greening" refreshing process that identifies new topics and themes. In addition, Council also approved the 2019 Business Plan and budget. OPPI staff will begin the preparation for the implementation of its 2019 activities. 
 
Council welcomed John Matheson and Strategy Corp to provide a status update on professional regulation legislation and work done to date to pursue updated legislation in Ontario.

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OPPI would like to notify the membership of the passing of John Marshall, RPP on October 19, 2018. 
 
John has been a member of OPPI since 1973 and had a long and distinguished career with the City of Brampton starting in 1976 that spanned three decades. John held a number of senior leadership positions at the City of Brampton including Commissioner of Planning and Building, Commissioner of Community Services and Interim City Manager. 
 
In his retirement, John helped the Brampton Arts Council prepare a strategic plan and ran a planning and management consulting company.  
 
OPPI would like to pass along its condolences to John's family, friends and colleagues. 
 

Don't find yourself on OPPI's naughty list, stay on our nice list for 2019 by renewing your OPPI membership and logging your CPL units for this year! OPPI looks forward to continuing to offer members valuable programs and services that support your lifelong learning and professional development.
 
Visit our website today to renew your 2019 membership before January 2, 2019 and log your 2018 CPL units (for Full and Candidate Members). For further information, please contact OPPI at renewal@ontarioplanners.ca. 

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Attention all OPPI Student Members! OPPI has two scholarships available for students to apply for in 2019: the Ronald M. Keeble Undergraduate Scholarship and the Gerald Carrothers Graduate Scholarship. Visit OPPI's website today and put your name forward for a scholarship before March 1st, 2019. Be recognized by OPPI for your commitment and contribution to your local community! 
 

As OPPI's District Leadership Team (DLT) gears up for 2019 and another year of great programming for members, OPPI would like to thank our Districts and DLT for organizing over 70 District events and six co-creation partnered events this year! 
 
From book club meetings to walking tours and networking events, 2018 included a variety of unique events for members and another great year is almost in the books for OPPI's Districts.
 
Don't forget to attend one of several year-end holiday events held by OPPI Districts! Celebrate with your colleagues and thank volunteers for all the hard work they've put in this year to produce a great program for members. 
 
In addition, this year, OPPI welcomed over 120 new RPPs to our membership. If you see a new member at a District event, feel free to introduce yourself and congratulate them on their recent achievement and milestone. Network and encourage new members to attend and participate in events in your community. 
 
We look forward to seeing members at District events throughout 2019. OPPI and your District Leadership Team looks forward to providing another great year of member programming and events in the coming year. 
 

Click here to read more

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The Call for Presentations for OPPI19: Beyond25 remains open until December 10! Submit your proposal today and take part in an important year ahead for the planning profession. 
 
2019 is a landmark year for Ontario's professional planners. We are honouring the 25th anniversary of the Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation in Ontario; the first jurisdiction in Canada to offer it!
 
To commemorate this significant milestone, OPPI is facing change and guiding Ontario into the next quarter century by exploring the key issues (Climate Change, Uneven Growth and Technology) that reach beyond regional and territorial boundaries impacting professional planners and stakeholders, and addresses issues important to the general public, elected officials and other decision-makers for decades to come. 
 
OPPI invites its members, related stakeholders and citizens to submit a proposal to speak at our Beyond 25 Conference, and to express your interest in assisting OPPI in the creation of other educational content throughout the year and beyond. For more information, please visit our Call for Presentations webpage. 

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OPPI is excited to introduce a new weekly District eblast for members in the new year! The way members receive District event information will be changing starting in January. Instead of receiving individual event eblasts, they will be consolidated into one weekly eblast for members to read. 
 
The reason for the switch is to give greater promotion to OPPI District teams and events, this format provides an opportunity to write event articles, and it should foster ideas and greater collaboration for co-creation events between Districts! 
 
Here's how it will work:

• Members in Districts that are featured, or promoting an event or sending out an event reminder, in a given week will receive the weekly eblast. 
• If your District is not being featured, not holding an event, not sending out a reminder or thank you note to members for attending an event, you will NOT receive the weekly District eblast.
• OPPI will take the opportunity to profile its District Chairs and Vice Chairs and districts through short articles introducing them to the membership. In addition, OPPI will endeavour to develop and write articles on District events for inclusion in the weekly eblast.

Members will receive another reminder in the new year, but if you have any questions about this new format, please contact OPPI at communications@ontarioplanners.ca. 

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On September 13th, the Kingston group of the Eastern Ontario District Leadership team hosted a tour of the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts that went very well. 
 
The foundation of the tour was an insightful presentation by architect Robert Matthews, who provided information about the impressive lengths to which the heritage of the site was explored and incorporated into the facility. 
 
The group was then led on a walking tour by the Isabel's Director, Tricia Baldwin, who offered anecdotes and behind-the-scenes glimpses of this beautiful structure. The conversation continued at the nearby Portsmouth Tavern. 
 
It was an excellent opportunity to learn more about this world-class cultural gem, located on the shores of Lake Ontario between Breakwater Park and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.
 
Thank you to Eastern District for organizing this great tour, and to those in attendance. For more information on this tour, please contact Eastern District. 
 

City of Ottawa Committee of Adjustment Recruitment
The City of Ottawa is recruiting members for its Committee of Adjustment, a 15-member panel that considers applications for minor variances to the City's zoning by-laws and applications for consent to subdivide property. The Committee is an independent and autonomous body that performs its duties at "arm's length" from the City administration and operates under the authority of the Province's Planning Act. Members in the Ottawa area that are interested in pursuing this opportunity can visit the City of Ottawa's website.
 
UrbanToronto Rolls Out New Planning Subscription-Based Newsletter
At the end of October, UrbanToronto unveiled a new daily newsletter that provides information for the planning and development community that is comprehensive and all in one place for readers. This daily newsletter provides new project updates and information on items such as: City of Toronto development applications, minor variance applications, Committee of Adjustments, Toronto Local Appeals Board (TLAB), Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), building permits, Design Review Panel (DRP), City of Toronto Executive Committee, waterfront news, construction updates and much more! Members interested in learning more and registering for this newsletter service can visit UrbanToronto's website.
 
2018 Brampton Urban Design Awards
Great urban design is a collaborative process, and it's a key component of a livable, sustainable and vibrant community. Design excellence is also one of the guiding lenses of Brampton 2040 Vision: Living the Mosaic, a bold new Vision to guide what Brampton will become over the next quarter century. Has your firm completed a noteworthy design or construction project in Brampton in 2017 or 2018? Do you have exciting new work coming up that elevates the role of urban design in the city? Consider submitting your project for the City of Brampton's Urban Design Awards 2018. Submissions are being accepted until 4:00 p.m. on February 4, 2019. Please visit www.brampton.ca/budawards for more details and information on how to apply. 
 

Are you listed in OPPI's Consultant's Directory? If you're not in, it's time to get in! If you're looking to do some consulting on the side or looking for RPPs to work with for that big project you're leading, and everything in between, OPPI's Consultant's Directory is for you. Sign up today and get listed!

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SEARCHING FOR A JOB?  

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Please see the current active postings below:

• Planning Analyst - Region of Durham (full time)
• Planner II - City of Thunder Bay (full time)
• Supervisor - Planning Services - City of Thunder Bay (full time)
• Manager, Land Use Planning - Toronto Lands Corporation (full time)
• Senior Land Use Planning - Toronto Lands Corporation (full time)
• Manager, Planning Services - Corporation of the County of Essex (full time)
• Planner - Holzman Consultants Inc. (full time)
• Intermediate Planner/Research Assistant, Policy - Town of Caledon (full time)
• RFP for Planning Consulting Services - The Corporation of the Municipality of Greenstone (contract)
• Urban Designer - City of Mississauga (contract)
• Planner I - Policy Planning - City of Vaughan (full time)
• Manager of Planning - Township of Woolwich (full time)
• Planner, Facility Services - Thames Valley District School Board (full time)
• Planner I - Town of Georgina (full time)
• Junior Planner - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (full time)
• Senior Planner - Temporary Assignment up to 18 months - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (contract)
• Manager of Development - Planning - City of Burlington (full time)
• Planner - GSP Group Inc. (full time)
• Planner, Intermediate and Senior Planner Positions - WSP (full time)
• Planner, Policy and Government Relations - BILD (full time)
• RFP - Comprehensive Zoning By-Law Review - Town of Lincoln (contract)
• Township Planner - Corporation of the Township of Brock (full time)
• Director, Planning and Development Services - The Corporation of The Town of Aurora (full time)
• Deputy Director of Planning - Current Planning - City of Vancouver (full time)
• ...and many more!

• Lakeland District Changing Face of Retail (December 4)
• Urban Forum: Designed Leadership (December 6)
• Managing Skills for Professional Planners - SOLD OUT (December 7)
• Western Lake Ontario District Winter Social and Movie Night (December 10)
• Eastern District Ottawa Winter Social (December 10)
• The Principles of Traffic and Transportation - 20 Week Evening Lecture Series (January 30)