2011 CAMA E-Brief Partner:

June 21, 2011

The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrator’s (CAMA’s) national conference, held in Halifax, NS from May 30-June 2, attracted a record number of delegates.  In total, 250 municipal administrators registered for the event.  Adding in companions and exhibitors, 400 people attended the SAP President's Dinner.  In addition to the education and hospitality sessions, ten national awards of excellence were presented and two new board members were elected.

Golf Tourney Starts Conference

The conference got underway on Monday morning, May 30 with the annual CAMA golf tournament, held this year at the Avon Valley Golf Course.  Congratulations to the winning team of Matt Dawe, Dave Chandler and Robert Cotterill.  A sold out wine tour to the Annapolis Valley was also offered.  The afternoon was devoted to an interprovincial association meeting.  Following the first-time delegates reception, all CAMA delegates gathered for the opening reception in the Trade Show and Exhibitors hall.  Our thanks to co-sponsor, the Rick Hansen Foundation, for their participation in the evening festivities.

Annual Meeting and Down East Entertainment

Tuesday, May 31, brought the CAMA annual general meeting and conference opening ceremonies.  Following this, keynote speaker, Dr. Nick Bontis, a 3M National Teaching Fellow with McMaster University, spoke about “leadershift” and how municipal administrators can transform themselves into new levels of performance.   Our appreciation to RBC Royal Bank for their sponsorship of this entertaining speaker.

This was followed by an international panel session moderated by CAMA board member, Kelly Daniels and featuring Kim Ryley, President, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE); Robert J. O’Neill Jr., Executive Director, International City/County Management Association (ICMA); Clare Hadley, President, Society of Local Government Managers SOLGM; and, Neil Hartley, Past President, Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA).

Following lunch, which featured a presentation about Halifax’s hosting of the 2011 Canada Winter Games, delegates attended another panel session where former CAOs imparted some wise advice from their municipal management careers.  The session featured George McLellan, Harry Gaudet and Terry Totten.  It was moderated by Paul Stapleton, City Administrator for Fredericton, NB.

The final session for the day featured David Siegel, a political science professor at Brock University, who spoke about the leadership qualities that make municipal CAOs successful.  The day ended with a lobster supper and entertainment by East Coast precision drummers, Squid.  What else would you expect in a Maritime seacoast city!

Awards, Study Tours and President’s Dinner

The first conference speaker on Wednesday, June 1, was Peter MacLeod, Principal with MASS LBP, an innovative firm reinventing public consultation.  He spoke about how visionary governments and corporations are using new ways to engage and consult with the public.  The second session of the morning featured Robert Carlyle and Karen Hall, vice-presidents with Aon Hewitt.  They spoke about how an aging workforce will affect municipal operations.

The morning ended with a keynote speech from Glen Hodgson, senior vice president and chief economist with the Conference Board of Canada.  He spoke about the role cities play in sustainable economic performance during turbulent times.  The noon luncheon featured the presentation of the 2011 CAMA Awards of Excellence sponsored by City Canada, followed by the conference closing ceremonies and trade show draws. 

Study tours filled the afternoon.  Delegates headed out into the community to find out more about downtown development, harbour stewardship and how a community responds when a hurricane devastates two beloved historic parks.  Outgoing CAMA president Jacques Des Ormeaux hosted a reception and dinner to end the CAMA 2011 Conference.  Dinner entertainment featured musical comedian, Tony Quinn.  CAMA extends its gratitude to SAP Canada for their continuing partnership as sponsor of the President's Dinner.

Next Conference

We look forward to welcoming all members to the CAMA 2012 national conference to be held in Saskatoon, SK at the Hilton Garden Inn and TCU Place from May 28-30, 2012. 
 

Jim Toye, City Manager for North Battleford, SK, was elected president of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) at the association’s annual general meeting held on May 31, 2011 in Halifax, NS.  Mr. Toye will lead the almost 500-member national organization of municipal management professionals until June 2012.  He succeeds outgoing CAMA president, Jacques Des Ormeaux, General Manager of the City of Bromont, QC.  

The 2011-12 CAMA board of directors will also include:

• Ron Shaw, First Vice-President / CAMA Director-at-Large / Chief Administrative Officer, City of Stratford, ON
• Jean Savard, Second Vice-President / CAMA Representative for Québec / General Manager of the Borough of Charlesbourg, City of Quebec, QC
• Robert Hughes, Treasurer / CAMA Representative for Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island / Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Stratford, PE
• Jacques Des Ormeaux, Past President / General Manager, City of Bromont, QC
• Don MacLellan / CAMA Representative for New Brunswick / Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, City of Moncton, NB
• Kelly Daniels / CAMA Representative British Columbia and Yukon / Chief Administrative Officer, Capital Regional District (Vancouver Island), BC
• Bill Holtby / CAMA Representative Alberta and Northwest Territories / City Manager, St. Albert, AB
• Patrick Moyle / CAMA Representative for Ontario / Chief Administrative Officer, The Regional Municipality of Halton, ON.
• Keith Arns / CAMA Representative Newfoundland and Labrador / Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Conception Bay South, NL (New Board member)
•  Marie-Hélène Lajoie / CAMA Director-at-Large / Deputy City Manager, Gatineau, QC (New Board member)

As part of the association’s national conference in Halifax, NS, nine municipalities and one municipal organization across Canada were recognized for municipal excellence in the areas of innovation, education and environment.  Awards were presented during the luncheon held on June 1, 2011.  CAMA extends its sincere appreciation to Citi Canada who signed on this year as awards sponsor in the categories of education and environment. We will be featuring winners and all other award submissions in upcoming e-Brief issues. A list of award winners are available at:  http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/cama/news_item.asp?newsid=122 

Welcome to the following new members:

 Eric Wargel, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Adjala-Tosorontio, Alliston, ON

Jane Clohecy, Commissioner of Planning and Development, Town of Oakville, ON

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