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Each year, OPPI offers a dynamic lineup of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) opportunities. Focusing on core professional skills, these workshops aim to improve the knowledge that Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) need to excel in their careers. To learn more, read Exciting New Educational Opportunities: OPPI’s 2025 Workshop Schedule. For more information on all educational opportunities, visit the OPPI Events Calendar
Facilitator: James Parkin, RPP Description: This professional development course, developed by the University of Waterloo School of Planning and supported by TOARC (The Ontario Aggregate Resources Corporation), is being offered through OPPI for members and allied professionals. Taught by James Parkin, BES, MCIP, RPP, a partner at MHBC and sessional instructor at the University of Waterloo, the course is designed for planners, particularly those in rural and resource planning. It is most relevant for those responsible for developing policies and guidelines, reviewing proposals near aggregate deposits, participating in consultations for Aggregate Resources Act license applications, or managing Planning Act applications for new or expanded mineral aggregate operations.
Facilitator: Steven Webber, PhD, RPP, MCIP Description: This workshop introduces planners to the development pro forma that is used to evaluate the financial feasibility of real estate investments. A static residential pro forma provides the framework for reviewing revenues, costs and project performance metrics using condo and purpose-built rental scenarios. A sensitivity analysis is included to account for the potential risk faced by developers. The session concludes with a hands-on exercise that gives planners the opportunity to explore a straightforward pro forma model.
Facilitator: Steven Webber, PhD, RPP, MCIP Description: This workshop aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model, a crucial tool used by developers to assess the time value of money in feasibility analysis. Building on Pro Forma Basics for Planners, the session focuses on using DCF to evaluate purpose-built rental developments, relevant for both private and not-for-profit projects. Participants will explore key DCF components such as the discount rate, capitalization rate, loan amortization, and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) to understand the financial assumptions and calculations. The session includes a hands-on case study based on a multi-period pro forma spreadsheet, providing practical insights into development economics and performance.
Facilitator: Denise Baker LL.B. and WeirFoulds LLP Lawyers Description: One of the most critical roles that professional planners play in Ontario is acting as an expert witness at tribunals. In this interactive virtual three-part workshop, facilitated by Denise Baker from WeirFoulds LLP, participants will learn about legislation that dictates how planning is done in Ontario including the Planning Act, PPS & Growth Plan and Official Plans, gain a better understanding about duties and responsibilities pre-hearing including steps from appeal to beginning of hearing and alternatives to hearings. Participants will also learn more about hearings including how they operate, how to prepare and understanding the role of the planner, how to write a witness statement, how to respond to questions, and cross examination.
Facilitator: Brian Brophey, LL.B. Description: This workshop, facilitated by Brian Brophey, LL.B. and former OPPI Registrar, will explore ethics and professionalism in the context of planning, and covers topics such as professional regulation, complaints and discipline, the Professional Code of Practice, and conflicts of interest. The workshop will also include the opportunity for participants to work through and discuss specific ethical scenarios.
Facilitator: Wayne J. Caldwell, Ph.D., RPP, FCIP Pam Duesling, Ph.D., MCIP, RPP, EcD, CMM3 Emily Sousa, MSc (Pl), RPP Description: On-Farm Diversified Use (OFDU) online workshop, led by Dr. Wayne Caldwell, Dr. Pam Duesling, and Emily Sousa, will introduce the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Guidelines on Permitted Uses in Ontario's Prime Agricultural Areas, focusing on how planners can create responsible OFDUs. The instructors will share their award-winning research on OFDUs, examining their effectiveness in farmland protection, farm diversification, and economic benefits. Participants will explore current OFDU examples, learn to use a new assessment tool, and gain insights into best practices for Official Plan policies, zoning provisions, and site plan control.
Facilitator: Nance MacLeod BA, PCC, CEC, C-IQ. HWC Emma Collyer, ACC Crystal-Lee Olson MA, ACC Description: Project management is important because it helps every part of the business run more efficiently and effectively. When done correctly, it enables leadership to plan and manage projects so that every objective and deliverable is completed on time and within budget. The objective for this workshop is supporting the participant with basic Project Management tools, skills and understanding best practices, This help with greater consistency. improved clearer communication. easier onboarding training, healthier risk management, excellent resource planning and allotment and greater scalability.
Facilitator: Wendy Woods MBA, CPCC, PCC, ACE Description: There are some individuals who seem to stroll through presentations as though it wasn’t even a challenge. But for many of us, whether it is a requirement of our job or not, presenting can be daunting. Impactful Presentation skills are essential for business or personal success. In this workshop, you’ll go beyond presenting just the facts and figures to craft impactful presentations that will motivate others, inspire action, and enable buy-in. By understanding your audience, preparing what will be important for them to know, you’ll learn to create presentations that are both meaningful and memorable. Gain the confidence and skills it takes to create impactful presentations.
Facilitator: Nance MacLeod BA, PCC, CEC, C-IQ. HWC Description: Effective time and focus management are key to achieving greater productivity and success. High achievers manage their time well, using techniques that help them remain efficient, even under pressure. This program helps you enhance your ability to focus, prioritize, and minimize distractions, leading to improved productivity, less stress, and increased opportunities for career advancement. By learning to enter a state of flow, you will be able to center your attention, manage pressure, and achieve important life and career goals more effectively.
Facilitator: Tracey Ehl, PhD, CPF, MCP3, MCIP, RPP Description: P2/Engagement for Allied Professionals looks at the perspective of those working in other professions who may be responsible for ensuring that P2/engagement is conducted, or who provide support or oversight to P2/engagement processes. It explores the underpinning models and frameworks of public participation and engagement practice as defined by the IAP2 community, specifically in terms of what it is, who is involved, standards of practice, why it is important to be practiced ethically and effectively and the unique and critical role that allied professionals serve.
Facilitator: Naama Blonder, B.Arch, OAA, RPP Description: Calling all urban planners and real estate developers in Toronto. It’s time to take your planning, design, and development skills to the next level by learning SketchUp. Learning how to build a 3D-form in its context will allow you to understand the potential development of a given site and calculate its Gross Floor Area for the purpose of preliminary review and analysis.
Facilitator: Lisa D. Orchard, M.Sc.Pl Description: This workshop is designed to provide planners with the tools they need to apply plain language theory and techniques to improve their reports, plans, studies, memos and other documents. This course introduces planners to the plain language techniques they need to know to prepare quality documents.
Facilitator: Lisa D. Orchard (M.Sc.Pl) David Sajecki, RPP Description: This interactive workshop is designed to help planners enhance their written case preparation for Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) hearings. The workshop will focus on creating clear and persuasive documents, such as witness statements, evidence outlines, and settlement affidavits. Through case studies, examples, and exercises, participants will learn key writing techniques to build strong, logical arguments that influence adjudicators.
Facilitator: Danielle Blommestyn Description: This workshop is designed to help planners manage conflict, improve communication, and enhance team dynamics. The workshop focuses on identifying common sources of conflict in planning projects and applying different conflict management styles to achieve better outcomes. By equipping planners with these essential skills, the training aims to promote constructive conflict resolution, clearer communication, and more effective collaboration in planning projects.
Facilitator: Wayne Caldwell, RPP, PhD, FCIP Kate Proctor Description: Join Wayne Caldwell, a professor and experienced rural planner, Kate Procter, journalist and farmer for an engaging session designed for municipal planners and related professionals. This workshop delves into agriculture’s vital economic contributions, its role in fostering vibrant rural communities, and the social dynamics of farming. Participants will gain practical strategies for building trust and effective partnerships with farmers, navigating land use challenges, and key planning tools to address agricultural challenges. Tailored for those new to agricultural issues, the session combines expert insights with interactive discussions, offering foundational knowledge and tools to foster stronger collaboration between planners and the farming community.