April 2019 Issue

On March 22, OPPI Council met and took the opportunity to discuss a variety of strategic issues. One of the issues discussed was the advancement of Bill 70, the Registered Professional Planners Act, OPPI's Public Affairs Strategy and the approach of the Institute in responding to Bill 66. 
 
Council discussed the practice of conducting generative discussions on OPPI mega issues and how they add value to the conversation around the table and to members. This includes holding more discussions on a variety of topics that are forward-focused and help address issues faced by planners today and tomorrow. 
 
As many milestones take place this year, Council received an update on OPPI's planned celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the RPP designation. Other conversations occurred on topics such as the polices that administer the non-practicing membership category, OPPI's participation in a nation-wide compensation survey, the 2018 Financial Audit and establishing a service agreement with the Planning Alliance Forum enabling PTIAs to collaborate on strategic projects promoting the planning profession.  
 
OPPI Council would like to thank Kriens-LaRose for attending and participating in the March Council meeting.  
 
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 communications channels.

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As National Volunteer Week approaches the week of April 7-13, 2019, OPPI would like to thank the many volunteers who dedicate their time and interest in advancing the planning profession in Ontario. 
 
Your contributions and leadership at our District events, in policy submissions, on our Program Committees, District Leadership Teams, Working and Strategy Groups and Task Forces help OPPI Council meet the goals of our INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan and promote the value of RPPs and the work you do in your local communities. 

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OPPI is pleased to announce that has partnered with the Ontario Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources (OCCIAR) and Risk Sciences International (RSI) to produce educational content for professional planners in Ontario on climate science, risk and climate change adaptation as part of Natural Resource Canada's Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise (BRACE) Program. 
 
OPPI is asking for member feedback and contribution to this project. Members are asked to fill out this brief needs assessment survey. By doing so, you have the opportunity to share what your most important and immediate needs are for professional learning in this area. 
 
If you have any questions about the survey or project, please contact OPPI's Education Manager, Ryan Des Roches at education@ontarioplanners.ca. 
 

Do you know a Member that should be recognized for their extraordinary service and contributions to OPPI? It's that time of year to start thinking about nominating Members for OPPI's annual Member Service Award.

Nominations may be submitted by District Chairs on behalf of District Leadership Teams and/or nominations-at-large signed by two members in good standing (other than the nominee).

For more information on last year's Member Service Award winners, criteria and nomination process, please visit OPPI's website.

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On March 9, OPPI's Student Liaison Committee held its Student Case Competition at York University. The case study was provided by York University and the City of Toronto Planning Department. Five teams participated from several accredited planning programs, but there could only be one winner!

The team of Hayley Oleksiak, Ryan Taylor, Michelle Diplock, Elaha Safi and Nicole Pal from Ryerson's graduate program won this year's Student Case Competition with their submission for the "Catalyst for Transformation" case study at York University. Congratulations to the winning team!

The winning Student Case Competition team will be provided with complimentary registration to the 2019 OPPI Conference in Toronto on October 1-3, 2019, and the opportunity to present a case study session and their winning proposal. In addition, they will be asked to submit a blog post on their submission for the Planning Exchange blog.

OPPI would like to thank York University for providing the venue, both York University and the City of Toronto Planning Department for providing the case study, our panel of RPPs - Helene Iardas, Diane Silver and Kelly Graham - for making the time to assist, all of our student participants and to our Student Liaison Committee for organizing this event. 
 

On March 21, OPPI's District Leadership Team (DLT) came together for the 2019 District Forum to focus on the development of priorities for a 2020 District strategy and opportunities for greater co-operation and co-creation events for Members. 
 
The foundation for this strategy is the four strategic directions found in the INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan 2020. The DLT was also able to provide early input and think about the development of OPPI's next strategic plan. 
 
Members came together from across Ontario to identify several key initiatives to focus on in 2019, including:

• Develop more district session events based on OPPI Conference submissions
• The development of a district charter for members
• Help celebrate the upcoming 25th anniversary of the RPP designation  

Thank you to everyone who attended our Forum. Stay tuned for more information throughout the year as the 2020 strategy is finalized and ready to implement. If you are interested in joining your local District, visit our Districts webpage for more information.

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OPPI's President Elect, Justine Giancola, joined a panel of RPPs and municipal planning leaders at the 2019 LandPRO Conference to discuss planning for growth in Ontario, including their perspectives on the implementation and future of Local Planning Appeal Tribunals. 
 
The LandPRO Conference brings together thought leaders and industry experts for a day of learning, insights and strategies. OPPI would like to thank Justine along with the other RPP panelists who participated in this panel discussion, including former OPPI President Andrea Bourrie, Emma West, Arvin Prasad and Jason Bevan. 
 
OPPI was a promotional and educational partner of the 2019 LandPRO Conference. At OPPI18, OPPI asked members to tell us in six words or less your thoughts on a number of questions OPPI posed to members on a number of topics. Throughout 2019, we will be sharing your responses as graphics. Member responses were insightful and diverse, and OPPI is looking forward to more meaningful dialogue at OPPI19: Beyond25 as we explore the topics of uneven growth, climate change and technology.

Cemeteries are one of the most contested landscapes in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Most urban cemeteries in the GTA are running out of space to bury their dead. Research indicates the GTA will be out of space within the 10 -20 years. Where will we bury? Who can afford to use land for memorialization? How full is the cemetery? What's the city's mortality rate? These are some of the questions that require consideration in understanding and appreciating a city's diverse population and its needs in death. In this month's Planning Exchange Blog post, Nicole Hanson takes a closer look at spatially planning for the dead. 

Click here to read more

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On Thursday, March 7, OPPI's Lakeland District Planners hosted a Celebration of Planning in Grey County and Canada to mark two important milestones: the 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Institute of Planners, and the 25th Anniversary of the Registered Professional Planner designation in Ontario. Public attendees were treated to a series of presentations on: 

• The history of planning
• What public/private planners do and how we plan
• The intersection of planning and public health
• Planning within the Niagara Escarpment
• Heritage planning
• Planning in South Africa
• Future challenges facing the planning profession 

Attendees then got to test their new-found planning knowledge and become planners in an interactive exercise using LEGO®. 
 
The presentations and activity were lots of fun, with some great insights into how planning shapes not only our communities, but also our physical and mental health. The night was topped off with a cake and treats to celebrate these important anniversaries. Lakeland District would like to thank Ron Davidson, Becky Hillyer, Hiba Hussain, Stephanie Lacey-Avon, Judy Rhodes-Munk, Scott Taylor, Justin Teakle, and Jason Weppler for their excellent presentations. 

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SEARCHING FOR A JOB?
Targeted to planners, search the OPPI Job Ads to save you time and effort when looking for a new position.

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Please see the current active postings below:

• Planner I - City of Kawartha Lakes (full time)
• Planner II - City of London (contract)
• Planner II - Community Planning and Design - Municipality of Clarington (contract)
• Principal Planner (Long Range Planning) - The Corporation of the Town of Whitby (full time)
• Senior Planner (Development) - The County of Wellington (full time)
• Intermediate Planner (Growth Management Strategy) - Region of Peel (contract)
• Principal Planner (Environmental) - Region of Peel (contract)
• Manager, Development Services - City of Brampton (full time)
• Director of Planning - Township of Adjala-Tosorontio (full time)
• Analyst, Engery and Climate Change - The Corporation of the Town of Aurora (full time)
• Senior Planner - Town of East Gwillimbury (full time)
• Planner - Town of East Gwillimbury (full time)
• Manager, Development Planning - The Corporation of the Town of Aurora (full time)
• Planner - Develoment Planning - Town of New Tecumseth (full time)
• Senior Land Use Planner - Aird & Berlis (full time)
• Manager of Planning - The Town of Canmore (full time)
• ...and many more!

• Oak Ridges District - Property Assessment 101 for Planners (April 4)
• Northern District Planning for Accessibility Lunch & Learn (April 10)
• University of Toronto Friends of Planning 2019 Spring Social (April 11)
• OTC Transportation Planning Workshop (April 12)
• Southwest District Sustainable and Low Impact Development Panel Discussion (April 17)
• Lakeland District - Property Assessment 101 (April 18)
• Heritage Planning for Practitioners (April 25-28)
• 2019 Toronto Urban Design Awards: Call for Entries (April 29)