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January 01, 2018

January 2018 Issue

We Are OPPI

A NEW YEAR, A NEW VISION
The new year brings a new vision to RPP - informing choices, inspiring communities. As we continue our work on INSPIRE OPPI, we look forward to providing valuable programs and services that support you in your professional work.

Here are just some of the exciting activities we have planned for our members as highlighted in our 2018 Business Plan.
MEET YOUR DISTRICT CHAIR!
OPPI's District Leadership Teams (DLTs) work to empower member ownership and community experience in Districts across Ontario. They also facilitate exchange of knowledge and expertise for the betterment of planning in Ontario.

Interested to learn about volunteering at your District? You can watch the volunteer onboarding tool and sign up from your member profile to volunteer in your District.

Visit our website and browse our interactive District map to learn more about your District Chairs!
  • Timothy F. Chadder (Eastern District)
  • Scott Taylor (Lakeland District)*
  • Cindy Welsh (Northern District)
  • Scott Waterhouse (Oak Ridges District)
  • Kristen Barisdale (Southwest District)
  • Meghan Bratt (Toronto District)*
  • Christine Newbold (Western Lake District)
* denotes new District Chairs

Your Professional Journey

MOVING BILL 122 FORWARD IN 2018
As the new year begins, Bill 122 remains referred to a Standing Committee, waiting to be considered and reported out for Third Reading and passage. While we had hoped this would happen in 2017, the Bill 139 debate took longer than expected, and the house adjourned as scheduled in mid-December.

We continue to work with the Bill's sponsor MPP Ted McMeekin and Ministry staff, and hope to see further action in early 2018.
RENEW YOUR 2018 MEMBERSHIP TODAY!
The deadline for OPPI's 2018 membership renewal was January 2nd. If you have not completed your renewal, log in to your profile at ontarioplanners.ca/member-login. Payments can be made via credit card online or by downloading the invoice for cheque and third-party payments. For further information, please contact renewal@ontarioplanners.ca.

Building RPP

COMING SOON: EXCELLENCE IN PLANNING AWARDS REFRESH
The 2017 Excellence in Planning Awards featured an exciting line up of planning projects in cities and municipalities across the province.

In 2018, the Excellence in Planning Awards program will temporarily be placed on hold to review and refresh the program to ensure we continue to provide maximum value for OPPI members with a program that is reflective of the great work you do in the public interest. Stay tuned later in the year for more updates.
ON BEING AN RPP - HERE'S WHAT WE HEARD FROM YOU
Last year at the 2017 Conference in the Blue Mountains, the Stakeholder Engagement Task Force launched an initiative called "Big Questions. Inspiring Ideas" to continue the great dialogue that led to our new Strategic Plan, INSPIRE OPPI.

Out of the hundreds of in-person and online responses, we have integrated some of the inspiring responses we received into a new infographic. Check it out today!

Knowledge Exchange

WHAT IMPACT DO CITIES HAVE ON OUR MENTAL HEALTH?
In this month's Planning Exchange, David Stinson, RPP, explores whether there is a correlation between living in a city and your mental health. In 2017, CBC interviewed Professor Nicholas Rose from King's College, U.K. on his sociological studies for an upcoming Mental Health and the Mega-city workshop in Switzerland. Professor Rose discussed the apparent link between higher rates of mental
illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia and city life. Click here to read more!
A PRIMER ON BILL 139
On December 12th, 2017, The Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, ("Bill 139") received Royal Assent and is now law.

This will radically change the planning appeals process in Ontario and will replace the Ontario Municipal Board with a new tribunal, to be known as the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, which will have significantly different procedures and jurisdiction.

Tune in to our Primer on BIll 139 video on Digital Learning learn about the impending changes to the OMB and how these will impact your work in the short- and long-term.

What You Need to Know

Apply for an OPPI Student Scholarship!
In 2018, OPPI is offering the Ronald M. Keeble Undergraduate Scholarship, the Gerald Carrothers Graduate Scholarship and the Andrea Bourrie 2018 Scholarship. Get started on your 2018 professional goals and apply online now!

Thank you for your #OPPI18 Submissions
The call for Presentations for #OPPI18 is now closed. OPPI would like to thank all members who submitted proposals to speak this October. OPPI's Planning Knowledge Exchange (PKE) Committee is in the process of jurying proposals, and responses will be distributed in early March. Stay tuned for more details on speakers and registration information! See you in Sudbury for Community Readiness!

Plan Ahead with OPPI's Learning Path
The new year is the perfect time to recommit to furthering your professional goals. No matter how your professional journey progresses this year, you will be required to learn new skills and competencies along the way. Use OPPI's Learning Path to plan ahead and help you identify what you can do in the coming year to address your professional learning needs. The Learning Path is free to use; try it today!

Professional Standards & Registration Committee: Call for Volunteers!
Are you a Full Member of OPPI? Do you have knowledge and an interest in professionalism and ethics? Are you familiar with the core competencies of planning? Our Professional Standards & Registration Committee is looking for volunteers to assist them in their work. Engage with your profession and get involved on an OPPI team! Interested? Find out more about the committee and how to apply.

OPPI Group Insurance
OPPI is pleased to offer a suite of insurance options for its members. Visit the OPPI website for details.

How are You Connected to Water? Share Your Insights and Contribute to Research
Resilience and Community Health are key themes for professionals and communities across Ontario right now and water is central to this. You are invited to participate in research exploring how Ontarians characterize their connectedness to water and how storytelling can affect this connectedness (if at all). To take the survey, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/WaterConnectedness

Career Opportunities

ARE YOU AN EMPLOYER?
Advertise your available planning positions with OPPI's Job Postings. There is no better way to reach qualified planning professionals.
SEARCHING FOR A JOB?
Targeted to planners, search the OPPI Job Ads to save you time and effort when looking for a new position.
Search Now

Upcoming Events and Courses

  • ED Urban Forum: The Rise of Online Shopping and the Future of Brick and Mortar Retailing - Jan 17
  • ORD Climate Change & Land Use Planning Workshop - Jan 18
  • Eastern District Planning Book Club Meet - Jan 24