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)
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
Ready for immediate implementation or customization for the 2026–2030 term
Program Rationale and Design PrinciplesThis curriculum is built on adult learning best practices (andragogy), municipal governance standards (e.g., AMO and CAMA recommendations), and Ottawa-specific realities. It addresses gaps in the existing system while enhancing it:Core principles: Practical and applied (real council decisions, case studies); modular and flexible; blended delivery (in-person, virtual, self-paced, experiential); measurable outcomes (knowledge, skills, application); equity- and accessibility-focused; data- and technology-enabled (including AI for oversight, per emerging needs).
ReplyDeleteGoals: Equip councillors with role clarity, technical competence, relational skills, and strategic oversight capacity. Reduce learning curve for new members; provide refreshers and advanced development for incumbents. Support efficient governance, better decision-making, and public trust.
Integration with existing Ottawa systems: Builds directly on the current new-councillor orientation sessions/tours, mandatory training (AODA, respectful workplace, Code of Conduct), $1,000 annual training credit, City Learning Centre access, and Integrity Commissioner education. Adds structure, tracking via a dedicated LMS, mentorship, and progressive depth.
Delivery model: Cohort-based for new councillors (first 6 months); self-paced + cohort refreshers for all; micro-learning options; partnerships with AMO, FCM, universities, and internal experts. Evaluation through reflections, peer feedback, and application tracking (e.g., how training informs motions or committee work).
Customization: City-wide core with optional ward-specific modules (e.g., Rideau-Rockcliffe infrastructure or combined-sewer issues). Incorporates public works/resource deployment themes (in-house vs. contracted methods, project coordination, emergency resilience).
The program runs on a 4-year term cycle with annual refreshers.
(equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging) and anti-racism.
ReplyDeleteDelivery: Blended with existing mandatory modules.
Experiential & Support Components:Facility tours (OC Transpo, Fire Training Centre, Paramedic HQ, environmental centre — as currently offered).
Mentorship pairing.
Ward immersion (ride-alongs with Public Works crews, community meetings).
Capstone: Group presentation on a priority ward or city-wide issue.
Completion: Certificate + personalized development plan for the term.
Module 7: Communications, Media & Constituent Engagement (Week 7) Objectives: Effective public communication, media relations, constituent casework systems.
ReplyDeleteContent: MFIPPA, social media guidelines, deputation handling.
Delivery: Public Information & Media Relations session + virtual modules.
Experiential: Mock media interview or constituent scenario.
Module 6: Emergency Management, Climate Resilience & Public Safety (Week 6) Objectives: Emergency protocols, climate adaptation, de-escalation.
ReplyDeleteContent: After-action reviews, combined sewer overflow management, crisis supports.
Delivery: In-person with Emergency & Protective Services + existing de-escalation training.
Experiential: Tabletop simulation of a storm or major incident.
Module 5: Public Works, Infrastructure & Resource Deployment (Week 5–6) Objectives: Understand deployment methods (in-house vs. contracted, “right-sized” allocation); coordination challenges; resilience methods.
ReplyDeleteContent: Winter/summer operations, combined sewer issues, project coordination gaps, procurement thresholds, asset management. Post-storm lessons (e.g., July 1, 2026 response).
Delivery: Dedicated Infrastructure & Water Services orientation (enhancing current session) + tours (e.g., environmental centre, fire/paramedic facilities).
Experiential: Case study on resource deployment during extreme weather.
Module 4: Planning, Development & Housing (Week 4–5) Objectives: Navigate Official Plan, Zoning By-law, inclusionary zoning, development approvals.
ReplyDeleteContent: Housing crisis responses (scattered-site models, landlord supports, TIEGs); growth management.
Delivery: Planning & Housing Committee staff session + virtual modules.
Experiential: Site visit or virtual tour of a development project.
Module 3: Municipal Finance, Budgeting & Asset Management (Week 3–4) Objectives: Read and influence budgets; understand capital vs. operating; infrastructure gaps and long-range planning.
ReplyDeleteContent: 10-year capital plan, water/wastewater rates, infrastructure deficit (~$10.8B gap), performance measurement.
Delivery: In-person with Finance staff + self-paced financial literacy modules.
Experiential: Review sample budget documents; group exercise on trade-offs.
Module 2: Ethics, Integrity & Legal Responsibilities (Week 2) Objectives: Master Code of Conduct, conflict of interest (MCIA), confidentiality, respectful workplace.
ReplyDeleteContent: Gifts/hospitality, lobbying rules, harassment prevention; Integrity Commissioner role.
Delivery: Mandatory in-person + e-learning (integrates existing mandatory modules).
Experiential: Scenario-based discussions with Integrity Commissioner.
Module 1: Governance Foundations & Role Clarity (Week 1–2) Objectives: Understand council as board of directors vs. operational role; council-staff boundaries; statutory duties (Municipal Act, Procedure By-law).
ReplyDeleteContent: Roles of councillor, mayor, staff; decision-making hierarchy; accountability framework (Integrity Commissioner, Auditor General, Code of Conduct).
Delivery: In-person workshop + self-paced e-module. Case studies from recent Ottawa decisions.
Experiential: Observe a council/committee meeting.