Skip to Main Content

February 01, 2018

February 2018 Issue

We Are OPPI

OPPI COUNCIL NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN
OPPI's Governance and Nominating Committee is looking for a few good people to join our Council as Directors.

Full Members who are interested in making a contribution to the planning profession have until April 3rd to put their names forward as potential Directors.
INFORM OPPI ON TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION CALLS TO ACTION
This year, OPPI Council is exploring several strategic issues identified during consultation on the INSPIRE OPPI Strategic Plan 2020. In March, OPPI Council will discuss Indigenous perspectives in planning and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. Our goal is to
define OPPI's role in the Calls to Action, and determine how we can support our members as they engage Indigenous peoples and incorporate their perspectives into the planning process.

As leaders in the planning profession, RPPs bring the ability and expertise to help inform choices and inspire communities across Ontario. We need your help to inform OPPI and help members inspire and lead this
discussion within their local communities. Please take our short survey and let us know of your interest and capacity in this area.

Your Professional Journey

ONTARIO'S LAND USE PLANNING LEGISLATION IS CHANGING - ARE YOU READY?
An eblast was sent to members in January to facilitate conversation as the Ontario Government has updated land use planning legislation that will significantly impact how you do your jobs.

OPPI is looking for your feedback on how we can help you understand these changes. Your feedback will help inform how OPPI can proceed. Have you taken our survey?

Building RPP

NEW YEAR, NEW VOICE FOR OPPI
Over the next year OPPI is working on updating all of our communications to align with our new strategy, Informing Choices. Inspiring Communities.

The focus will move towards highlighting new themes and topics to create discussion and show how RPPs bring everyone together to solve complex issues.

You will see a redesigned website and RPP seal, new publication replacing the Journal and a renewal of our policy and public affairs strategy. So stay tuned for more information on this exciting update.

If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let us know at communications@ontarioplanners.ca.

Knowledge Exchange

FROM AMBIGUITY TO EMPATHY - HOW PLANNERS CAN COLLABORATE TO SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS
In this month's Planning Exchange, Adrienne Pacini, MDes, Senior Design Researcher, SHS Consulting, offers a post-OPPI 2017 Conference reflection on her presentation Planners as Collaboration Designers: A Systems-Thinking Lens on Tackling Complex
Problems.

Planners spend their days dealing with complex problems: from designing place-based communities, to creating effective
transportation systems, and to creating housing opportunities for all. We know we need to collaborate widely and effectively across the urban system. How might we harness our understanding of the people we serve to develop collaborative methods for solving these problems together?
CPL COURSES AVAILABLE FOR SPRING/FALL 2018
OPPI Members continue to meet a high standard of professional learning by continually updating and refreshing your knowledge and skills. Members can log into your Member Profile and sign up for Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) courses for Spring and Fall 2018.

The required number of learning units for each year is 18, with a minimum of 9 learning units for organized and structured activities. For more questions about CPL and tracking learning units, please read our FAQ. Don't forget to keep track and record your learning units in your Member Profile.

What You Need to Know

Last Call for Student Scholarship Applications and Student Delegate Nominations
March 1st is the deadline for student scholarship applications and student delegate nominations. Don't wait, visit the OPPI website for more information and get your application and/or nomination in today!

2018 LandPRO Conference
OPPI is an educational partner of the 2018 LandPRO Conference. Members may be able to claim CPL learning units by attending. In addition, use the discount code "OPPI18" to get 10 per cent off the regular price of
registration (can't be combined with other offers). For more information and to register, visit landproconference.com.

Professional Standards & Registration and Discipline Committee Volunteers
Calling all volunteers! OPPI is looking for a few good people to volunteer for our Professional Standards & Registration and Discipline Committees. If you think you have what it takes to thrive and make a contribution to the planning profession, sign up today!

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:
  • OMB Member - Environment & Land Tribunals Ontario (full-time)
  • Economic Development Assistant - Town of Wasaga Beach (contract)
  • Special Business Area Coordinator - City of Burlington (full-time)
  • Transportation Planning Technologist (Transportation Planner) - City of Burlington (full-time)
  • Residential Development Technologist - City of Burlington (full-time)
  • Zoning Examiner - City of Burlington (full-time)
  • Senior Planner - Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (full-time)
  • Senior Planner, Urban Design - City of Markham (full-time)
  • Planner I - Urban Design, IU Grade 7 - City of Markham (full-time)
  • Planner II, IU Grade 8 - City of Markham (full-time)
  • Development Coordinator (14-month contract) - Town of Innisfil (contract)
  • Planner I - CIty of Burlington (contract)
  • Manager of Intensification and Land Use Policy - City of Barrie (full-time)
  • Policy Planner - Town of Milton (full-time)
    Senior Manager, Development Planning - Conservation Halton (full-time)
  • Manager of Development Planning - Town of New Tecumseth (full-time)
  • Chief Planner - Regional Municipality of York (full-time)
  • Permit Coordinator - Town of East Gwillimbury (full-time)
  • Senior Planner - Town of Smiths Falls (full-time)
  • Project Manager - Region of Peel (full-time)
  • Director of Planning and Development - City of Thorold (full-time)
  • Planner - Municipality of Port Hope (full-time)
  • Environmental Planning (4 positions) - Niagara Region (full-time)
  • Urban Design (2 types of roles) - City of Brampton (contract)
  • Executive Director - Local Planning Appeal Support Centre (full-time)
  • GIS Planning Technologist - The Corporation of the Town of Whitby (full-time)
  • Community Planner - Township of South Stormont (full-time)
  • Director Development Approvals - Niagara Region (full-time)
  • Junior Planner - Gagnon Walker Domes Ltd. (full-time)
  • Senior Planner - GSP Group Inc. (full-time)
  • Senior Land Development Planner - Reid's Heritage Homes (full-time)
  • Manager, Development - Starlight Investments (full-time)

Upcoming Events and Courses

  • Public Health and Planning 101: An Online Course for Public Health and Planning Professionals to Create Healthier Built Environment
  • TD Winter 2018 Planners' Book Club
  • SD Annual Southwest District Bonspiel - Feb 2
  • LD 2018 Annual Ski & Snowshoe Day - Feb 16