A Post Election Councillor Education Program Proposal

Ottawa City Council

Councillor Education Program

2026–2030 Term Ready

Education Expert Design • 2026

Comprehensive
Councillor
Education Program

A modern, blended, and outcome-focused curriculum for new and incumbent councillors. Builds directly on Ottawa’s existing orientation model while adding depth in Public Health, Police & Fire, Planning, and Parks & Recreation.

NC

IC

Designed for New Councillors (NC) & Incumbents (IC)

New Councillor Orientation Continuing Education Curriculum Implementation & Delivery

Part 1: New Councillor Orientation

Intensive 3–6 month onboarding program • ~50–70 hours structured learning

Starts November after election

1. Governance Foundations & Role Clarity

Week 1–2 • 6 hours

Learning Objectives:

• Understand council as board of directors vs. operational role
• Master council-staff boundaries and statutory duties

Core

2. Ethics, Integrity & Legal Responsibilities

Week 2 • 4 hours

Includes:

• Code of Conduct (By-law 2025-99)
• Conflict of Interest (MCIA)
• Integrity Commissioner role

3. Public Health & Community Wellbeing

NEW • Week 3 • 5 hours

Public Health

Learning Objectives: Understand Ottawa Public Health mandate, social determinants of health, emergency health response, and councillor role in health equity.

• Ottawa Public Health structure & priorities
• Health equity, mental health, substance use, and housing as health issues
• De-escalation & crisis supports (integrated with existing training)
• Pandemic preparedness and climate-health links

Delivery: In-person with Ottawa Public Health + self-paced modules

4. Police, Fire & Public Safety Services

NEW • Week 4 • 6 hours

Police & Fire

Objectives: Governance of police & fire services, community safety, resource deployment, and oversight responsibilities.

• Ottawa Police Service governance & Police Services Board role
• Ottawa Fire Services operations & training centre tour
• Community safety & well-being plans
• Emergency coordination and incident command
• Police governance refresher (as per existing August session)

Includes: Tours of Fire Training Centre & Paramedic HQ

5. Planning, Development & Housing

Week 5 • 7 hours (Expanded)

Enhanced content: Official Plan, Zoning By-law, inclusionary zoning framework, scattered-site affordable housing models, landlord supports, and development approval process.

Planning + Housing focus

6. Parks, Recreation & Community Assets

NEW • Week 6 • 4 hours

Learning Objectives:

• Parks & Recreation master planning and asset management
• Equity of access to parks and recreational programs
• Climate-resilient parks design and urban forestry
• Community engagement in park renewals (e.g., Alvin Heights, Bathgate)
• Recreational programming and public health linkages

Delivery: Session + site visits to parks in Rideau-Rockcliffe and city-wide

7. Public Works, Infrastructure & Resource Deployment

Week 5–6 • 6 hours

In-house vs. contracted methods, “right-sized” deployment, project coordination challenges, combined sewer resilience, and post-storm lessons.

8. Emergency Management & Climate Resilience

Week 6 • 5 hours

Includes tabletop simulations, after-action review of July 1, 2026 storm, and climate adaptation strategies.

Additional Experiential Components

OC Transpo facilities tour

Fire Training Centre tour

Paramedic HQ tour

Parks site visits (ward-focused)

Part 2: Continuing Education Curriculum

For all councillors (incumbent & newly elected) • Ongoing throughout the term

Core Annual Tracks (Required)

Track A Governance & Oversight

• • AI tools for oversight & data transparency
• • Project accountability & performance measurement
• • Annual Code of Conduct & ethics refresher

Track B Finance & Infrastructure

• • Budget analysis & infrastructure gap management
• • Resource deployment optimization (in-house vs. contracted)
• • Long-range asset planning

Enhanced & New Tracks (Core + Elective)

NEW TRACK

Public Health & Community Wellbeing

• • Social determinants of health & housing as health policy
• • Mental health crisis response systems
• • Climate change & public health impacts
• • Health equity in decision-making
• 2–4 hours annually

NEW TRACK

Police, Fire & Public Safety

• • Police governance & oversight best practices
• • Fire service resource deployment & prevention
• • Community safety & well-being plans
• • Inter-agency emergency coordination
• 2–4 hours annually

NEW TRACK

Parks, Recreation & Green Infrastructure

• • Parks master planning & equity of access
• • Climate-resilient parks & urban forestry
• • Recreational programming and public health links
• • Community engagement in park renewals
• 2–3 hours annually

ENHANCED

Planning & Housing Policy

• • Advanced zoning & Official Plan updates
• • Inclusionary zoning implementation progress
• • Housing supply strategies (scattered-site & infill)
• • Development charge & growth financing
• 3–5 hours annually

Implementation & Delivery Model

Delivery Methods

• • In-person workshops & tours (enhanced existing model)
• • Self-paced micro-learning via dedicated LMS
• • Virtual live sessions & cohort workshops
• • Experiential (site visits, simulations, ride-alongs)
• • External partnerships (AMO, FCM)

Tracking & Incentives

• • Dedicated Councillor LMS portal
• • Integration of existing $1,000 annual training credit
• • Completion certificates & personalized development plans
• • Recognition for advanced completion

Evaluation

• • Pre/post assessments
• • Participant feedback & application surveys
• • Annual program review with councillor input
• • Link to real council outcomes (e.g., better-informed motions)

Key Benefits of This Enhanced Program

Directly addresses public health, police/fire governance, parks equity, and advanced planning

Integrates public works resource deployment & methods

Builds on existing Ottawa orientation sessions and tours

Practical, ward-relevant (including Rideau-Rockcliffe examples)

Designed as an education expert • February 2026
Ready for immediate implementation or customization for the 2026–2030 term