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April 01, 2020

April 2020 Issue

We Are OPPI


COVID-19 MESSAGE TO MEMBERS

We recognize this can be a stressful time for many members and we hope everyone is safe during this period. As COVID-19 (Coronavirus) rapidly changes the reality of public interaction across the Province of Ontario and Canada, OPPI is monitoring news and information coming from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario, Toronto Public Health and other sources. 

The business of the Institute continues but is modified as the public health situation changes. OPPI staff are working from home and will conduct virtual and conference calls with volunteers and members as needed. Any voicemails left for staff are forwarded to emails so we can get back to you in a timely manner. However, should you need to reach us quickly, please email OPPI at info@ontarioplanners.ca. 

A resource webpage has been created for members. This includes updates from the Institute, an FAQ with questions received from the membership, and resources for you to access during this period. This page will be updated regularly as more information becomes available. If members have any questions or want to share resources, please email them to us at info@ontarioplanners.ca and we can include them on this webpage. Information will also be shared on OPPI's Twitter and LinkedIn channels. Feel free to follow along and share our information with colleagues and friends. 

As of the end of March, OPPI is monitoring what other organizations are doing for their conferences but continues the planning for our OPPI20 Conference in London. We are also working with our District Leadership Teams to provide CPL opportunities for members whether that is virtually, as a webinar, or in other formats that allow members to access information from home. Members will continue to receive the Spring/Summer issue of Y Magazine and updates on our communities of interest platform, PlannersConnect. 
 
 
EMPLOYING PLANNING STUDENTS DURING COVID-19

Following up on our message in March's newsletter, many planning firms began hiring planning students for summer and fall internships.
 
With COVID-19 causing great concern, we know this is a challenging time for all planning firms and organizations, including municipalities and the provincial government and their agencies, and OPPI has heard that planning students who had secured internships are now on hold.
 
The planning programs are working hard to secure work and internship opportunities moving forward and any help from the planning profession is needed and welcome. 
 
If you are in a position to do so, please reach out to the planning programs and their directors to secure a planning student this year:
 

THANK YOU OPPI VOLUNTEERS!

 
As National Volunteer Week approaches the week of April 19-25, 2020, 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.
 

Your Professional Journey

 

JOIN OPPI IN CONGRATULATING ONTARIO'S NEWEST RPPS

Each year, OPPI welcomes many new RPPs as members from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. Only Full Members of OPPI are authorized to use the RPP designation. 

Our newest RPPs followed and completed the certification process administered by the Professional Standards Board and will be receiving their certificates later this year allowing them to practice as RPPs in Ontario. 

OPPI and the planning profession applauds you for your achievement, dedication and commitment to informing choices and guiding the public, decision makers and stakeholders on the journey to creating inspired communities. 

Learn more about who our newest RPPs are by visiting OPPI's website. Congratulations!
 
STUDENT CASE COMPETITION UPDATE
Due to unforeseen circumstances unrelated to COVID-19 (Coronavirus), OPPI has cancelled the 2020 Student Case Competition. We apologize to any student members that expressed interest in participating. OPPI would like to thank the City of London for their assistance as the client along with Ryerson University for stepping forward to host the event. The Student Case Competition will return in 2021 and OPPI will have more information to share in the new year. 
 

Building RPP

 
 

Knowledge Exchange


PIMACHIOWIN AKI: THE PROTECTION OF INTACT FOREST LANDSCAPES AS AN EFFECTIVE POLICY TOOL

Our April Planning Exchange blog post comes from University of Guelph Masters student, Angela Asuncion. Learn more about Pimachiowin Aki, located in the northern Canadian boreal shield, and why the protection of this significant area stands out as an important Canadian historical planning movement that incorporates Indigenous knowledge and modern-day science towards sustainable ecosystem management.
Click here to read more

CHECK OUT OPPI'S FEATURED INDIGENOUS RESOURCE
 
Although professional planners are aware of the concept of sustainability and its importance in the fight against climate change, few are aware that a very similar concept has existed for centuries in Indigenous cultures. This month's featured resource from the Indigenous Planning Perspectives Task Force resource list is a blog post from Indigenous Corporate Training, Inc. on the Seventh Generation Principle; what it is, and its history. 
 
This resource list is an ongoing effort by OPPI to connect its members to learning materials related to Indigenous perspectives, histories and cultures. It is reviewed on a frequent basis to ensure access is being provided to relevant and valuable materials. If you have any questions about the resource list, or suggestions for additional resources to include, please contact OPPI's Education Manager, Ryan Des Roches.
 

 

OPPI'S SPRING AND FALL COURSES - CANCELLED AND/OR RESCHEDULED
 
OPPI would like to thank members for supporting and signing up for our Spring and Fall CPL courses. We regret to inform you that OPPI is cancelling the Spring courses and is working to reschedule Fall courses. Because of the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), OPPI is monitoring various public health sources and is working with our Districts to provide CPL opportunities for members whether that is virtually, as a webinar or in other formats that allow members to access information from home. 
 
While members are working from home during this time, get a head start on your 2020 CPL credits by checking out OPPI's online CPL opportunities. This includes reading our Planning Exchange Blog and checking out our Digital Learning portal (member log in required) for videos and audio files. 

 

What You Need to Know


CELA Working with Indigenous Communities - Three-Part Webinar Series
A great resource for members seeking to enhance relations with local Indigenous communities can be found through the Canadian Environmental Law Association's three-part Indigenous webinar series, hosted by Cambium Aboriginal. For more information and to register, please visit CELA's website: https://cela.ca/working-with-indigenous-communities-a-3-part-webinar-series/
 

Career Opportunities


ARE YOU IN THE CONSULTANT'S DIRECTORY?
Are you listed in OPPI's Consultant's Directory? If you're not in, it's time to get in! If you're looking to do some consulting on the side or looking for RPPs to work with for that big project you're leading, and everything in between, OPPI's Consultant's Directory is for you. Sign up today and get listed!
LEARN MORE
ARE YOU AN EMPLOYER?
Advertise your available planning positions with OPPI's Job Postings. There is no better way to reach qualified planning professionals.


 
LEARN MORE
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:
  • Planner Level II - The Corporation of the Town of Lakeshore (full time)
  • Planner - Township of Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (full time)
  • Planning Administrator - Township of Beckwith (full time)
  • Planning Manager - City of Sarnia (full time)
  • Planner - Municipality of Hastings Highlands (full time)
  • Manager, Land Use Planning - City of Brampton (full time)
  • Urban Planner - Sajecki Planning (full time)
  • Land Use Planner - UrbanSolutions Planning & Land Development Consultants Inc. (full time)
  • Director of Planning and Development - Municipality of Brighton (full time)
  • Senior Urban Planner - DIALOG (full time)
  • ...and many more!

Upcoming Events and Courses

  • Many OPPI District events have been cancelled as a result of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Please refer to OPPI's Event Listings webpage to see if your local District event is happening as planned or has been cancelled or postponed.