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June 01, 2018

June 2018 Issue

We Are OPPI

ONTARIO ELECTION COVERAGE
With a few days to go in the Ontario election, OPPI is sharing information with members on the promises and/or statements made by each major party during this campaign related to the planning profession. Know what the parties are saying and promising before the results are in and a new government is formed.
SAVE THE DATE: NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
OPPI's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, October 11, at Science North in the City of Greater Sudbury. The AGM will be held prior to the evening reception. Members do not need to register for #OPPI18: Community Readiness in order to attend the AGM. Stay tuned for more information about the AGM over the summer.

OPPI supports a fair process where members are given advance notice of proposed motions to be made by members attending the AGM. In doing so, as many members as possible have the opportunity to consider motions put before them, decide whether to attend the AGM, or to complete a proxy form so their vote can be counted.

To ensure adequate notice, any motion made at the AGM must be provided in writing and signed by three (3) members of OPPI eligible to vote on or before 5:00 p.m. on August 9, 2018. Motions must be of a substantive matter and can be submitted by completing this online form. Questions regarding this process can be directed to registrar@ontarioplanners.ca.

OPPI TECHNOLOGY AND PLANNING MEMBER SURVEY
In 2018, OPPI Council is committed to exploring strategic issues that were identified by our members and related stakeholders during consultation on the INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan 2020.

In June, OPPI Council will discuss changes in technology and its impact on the planning profession. To date, we have received an enthusiastic response from members. Before this discussion takes place, make sure you've had the opportunity to let us know what you think!

OPPI is seeking member input through a short survey to help us understand your experience with technology to inform this conversation. The survey closes on June 4.

CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS WITH OPPI!
Rupendra Pant, OPPI's Member Engagement Manager, is celebrating five years with OPPI this year!

Starting in 2013, Rupendra was instrumental in managing the transition of several major initiatives including: a new membership process, start-up of the Professional Standards Board, implementation and transition to a new database, and our online member application and renewal process. Rupendra took on this challenge, as with so many others over the years, with his wit and sly sense of humour, keeping everyone in the office laughing and smiling, while keeping calm and carrying on.

As members may know, Rupendra is also the single point of contact for OPPI's seven District Leadership Teams and our Student Liaison Committee. He manages volunteer engagement, recognition and sponsorship programs and outreach to our newest members. Working with our Education Manager, Ryan Des Roches, Rupendra assists with creating rewarding educational and professional member events, strengthening relationships and experiences.

When Rupendra isn't watching and following his favourite football team, Barcelona FC, he is spending many happy (but sleepless) nights taking care of his newborn daughter, Adhya. Please join us in celebrating this important milestone as we look forward to working with Rupendra for another five years, and more, at OPPI!

Your Professional Journey

OPPI BY-LAW UPDATE
OPPI is the recognized voice of Ontario's planning profession. To ensure the continued and updated regulation of the planning profession, OPPI is pursuing an update of its By-Law.

Stay tuned for more information on our By-Law update in the coming weeks.

JUNE OPPI COUNCIL MEETING WITH PLANNING PROGRAM DIRECTORS
In our June Council meeting, OPPI Council will discuss a variety of strategic issues with the planning program directors from the six accredited planning programs in Ontario.

Here are some of the topics that will be discussed at our June meeting:
  • Technology and its impact on the planning profession
  • Strategic framework for Policy & Public Affairs
  • Approval of the Terms of Reference for OPPI's Indigenous Planning Task Force
  • ...and much more!
OPPI Council meets four times a year. Council approved agendas and minutes are available upon request to the OPPI office.

The goal is to engage members in shaping the direction and initiatives of OPPI, and continue to deliver on our INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan 2020. Members are encouraged to speak up and get involved, and stay in touch throughout the year through OPPI's many communication channels.

Building RPP

AN UPDATE ON THE REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL PLANNERS ACT
OPPI is disappointed the Registered Professional Planners Act did not pass and receive Royal Assent before the start of the provincial election. Before being reintroduced as Bill 64, the Second Reading of Bill 122 in the Legislature showed our bill had all-party support.

OPPI appreciates the hard work put in, initially, by MPP Peter Milczyn and by MPP Ted McMeekin and their staff, as well as all of our member volunteers and the Professional Regulation Strategy Group in getting us to this point.

OPPI Council will wait until after the election to decide how to proceed with the new government, and any possible new professional regulation legislation.

PLANNING FOR #OPPI19
On May 10, OPPI members and key stakeholders gathered in Toronto to begin planning for #OPPI19 around the themes of climate change, uneven growth and technology.

The group was tasked with establishing firm, actionable ways to collaborate and produce outcomes such as calls to action, declarations, white papers and influencing policy at the local level. They were also asked to determine the areas within the event themes are most important in creating future learning opportunities, find speakers and develop sessions for members.

OPPI would like to thank our stakeholders in attendance: the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR), Clean Air Partnership, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the University of Guelph, the University of Waterloo, and OPPI members who took the time to participate in this one-day strategy session. Stay tuned throughout the year as we will have more to share with members on the development of #OPPI19.

We haven't forgotten about #OPPI18: Community Readiness. For more information on #OPPI18 and to take advantage of our early bird registration, please visit our website and register today!
LEARNING STRATEGY SESSION FOR 2019 CONFERENCE
Being an RPP is a calling and not a job. OPPI strives to provide members with the information, tools, support and networking opportunities that support lifelong learning and your career development.

As a membership, OPPI invests in career development so you can be effective in your role when guiding the public, elected officials, decision makers and key stakeholders, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise to enhance planning in Ontario. This is done through our Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) program, and we need your help.

OPPI is developing a new Learning Strategy to make sure it remains relevant in an ever-changing profession. We need you to help determine what the focus of this strategy should be so we can develop CPL opportunities to enhance your career development.

Members are asked to please fill out our survey and tell us what you think. It should take about 3-5 minutes to complete. We appreciate your feedback as it will help inform our Learning Strategy moving forward.

Knowledge Exchange

OPPI IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE ITS KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR #OPPI18!
OPPI is pleased to announce Broadcaster, Advocate and Pop Culture Philosopher, Jesse Wente will be our keynote speaker at #OPPI18!

Jesse has appeared on CBC Radio's Metro Morning as film and pop culture critic for 20 years. He previously served as Director of Film Programmes at TIFF Bell Lightbox where he oversaw theatrical, Cinematheque and Film Circuit programming. A selfdescribed 'Ojibwe dude' with a national and international lens, he encourages audiences to consider diversity and inclusion into the future view of their organization, industry and country.

Jesse's keynote is titled Inclusion for Success. This discussion speaks to one of the Symposium's topics of Culture and Diversity.

CHANGE IS IN THE WIND
In this month's Planning Exchange blog post, Mat Vaughan, RPP, Principal Planner at Norfolk County highlights the impact of proposed federal cannabis legislation is having at the local level.

Learn more about how Norfolk County addressed a growing odour problem emanating from alternative production sites and other tactics the municipality undertook to address resident complaints as the growing cannabis industry takes shape across Ontario.

HOW DOES OPPI'S CPL COMPLIANCE COMPARE TO OTHER PTIAs?
As part of OPPI's Professional Code of Practice, members must take all reasonable steps to maintain their professional competence throughout their working lives. Central to this is the Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) program.

While CPL is mandatory, it is intended to help members stay current with changes and developments in the profession and stay informed about innovations and leading practices. Members are responsible to ensure they remain in compliance each year. OPPI also conducts audits randomly each year to ensure compliance.

While we always strive for 100% compliance, it's good to gauge where OPPI ranks among the other PTIAs across the country. Here's how OPPI compares to some of the PTIAs across the country:
  • OPPI - 98%
  • APPI - 99%
  • MPPI - 99%
  • SPPI - 100%
With such a large membership across the province, congratulations on achieving a high compliance rate in 2017! OPPI members continue to show their dedication to their careers by actively pursuing lifelong learning opportunities allowing you to continue to inform choices and inspire communities.
HOW TO MANAGE ASSET RENEWAL IN OUR COMMUNITIES?
Communities are approaching, at an increasing pace, the end-oflife of many critical assets that were built over the past 60 years. With more money flowing to maintaining and replacing aging assets, it will mean less money for other social and environmental priorities. For this reason, addressing asset renewal in our communities might be one of the largest opportunities or threats to advancing Ontario communities' sustainability objectives.

On our Digital Learning platform, members can view a video developed by Lourette Swanepoel, RPP, exploring ways of managing assets for sustainable communities. This is a recording of a webinar hosted by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) in partnership with OPPI's Northern District Leadership Team.

What You Need to Know

CIP and MPPI National Conference - SOUL 2018
CIP and MPPI invite members to their national conference, SOUL 2018, taking place July 19-22 in Winnipeg. Reflect on the 'soul' that goes into creating informed choices and inspired communities, dynamic and thriving environments and spaces with planners, elected officials, key stakeholders and design professionals from across Canada. For more information, please visit the SOUL 2018 website.

The Planning Justification Report and Municipal Staff Report: What will they look like under Bill 139?
In mid-April, OPPI and WeirFoulds offered members the opportunity to participate in a livestream discussion about the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act (Bill 139). OPPI is making discussion materials available to members for further reference. A related FAQ answering additional questions will be made available at a later date, and OPPI will share this with members. If you missed the livestream the first time, members can log into our Digital Learning platform to view it. Please visit our Legislative Corner webpage for livestream materials.

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
Please see the current active postings below:
  • Site Plan Technologist - City of Mississauga (contract)
  • Manager, Project Planning - Regional Express Rail (RER) or Rapid Transit - Metrolinx (contract)
  • Senior Planner - Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (full time)
  • Transportation Planner, Rail Network Planning - Metrolinx (full time)
  • Planner - Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury (full time)
  • Planner Technician - Town of Collingwood (full time)
  • Manager, Policy Planning - The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville (full time)
  • Senior Planner, Development - The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville (full time)
  • Community Planner - City of Toronto (contract)
  • Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives - Town of Richmond Hill (contract)
  • Urban Designer - City of Brampton (contract)
  • ...and many more!

Upcoming Events and Courses

  • Lakeland District Planning and Health Awareness for Age-Friendly Communities (June 1)
  • OACA Annual Conference (June 3-6)
  • Southwest District Historic Downtown Galt Bike Tour (June 4)
  • 2018 Ontario Heritage Conference (June 7)
  • Project Management for Planners OPPI Course - SOLD OUT (June 8)
  • Toronto District Lower Don Trail Cycling Tour (June 9)
  • Toronto & Oak Ridges District Co-Event - Aga Khan Museum Architecture and Garden Tour - DATE CHANGE (June 10)
  • Public Health and Planning 101: an online course for public health and planning professionals to create healthier built environments (June 14)
  • Lakeland District Planners Hike and Social Event (June 14)
  • Pedestrian Safety and Risk Management Workshop (June 20)
  • Lakeland District Jane's Walk - City of Barrie (June 20)
  • Oak Ridges District 8th Annual Summer Solstice - Local Planning Appeal Tribunal and the Planners Changing Role (June 21)
  • 2018 Toronto New Urbanism Film Festival (June 21)
  • Applied Project Management OPPI Course - SOLD OUT (June 22)
  • Lakeland District Jane's Walk Owen Sound (June 24)