Foundations in Municipal Law and Governance

The Foundations in Municipal Law and Governance segment consists of two thematic parts/modules:

1. Introduction to Municipal Government
2. Introduction to Some Key Municipal Functions

Delivered through a series of focused virtual classes, this self-paced segment builds essential knowledge of Ontario’s municipal law and governance systems. It is designed to prepare participants for deeper engagement in the live certificate sessions and is also available as a stand-alone program. Completion requires passing one short quiz (15 multiple-choice questions, 80% pass rate) covering both thematic modules. Viewing the virtual classes before attending the live certificate modules is strongly recommended, as content will not be repeated.

Module 1 – Introduction to Municipal Government

This first thematic module explores the legal foundations, powers, structures, and accountability mechanisms that shape municipal government in Ontario.

Overview of the Constitutional and Legislative Framework (69 mins, 2025)

• Examine the constitutional status of municipalities and their relationship with provincial authority
• Review key legislation including the Municipal Act/City of Toronto Act
• Understand delegated authority, jurisdictional overlaps, and the role of courts
• Analyze recent legislative reforms and their practical implications
• Learn strategies for tracking and interpreting legal developments

John Mascarin, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP 

Municipal Powers and Jurisdiction under the Municipal Act/City of Toronto Act (65 mins, 2026)

• Define core legal concepts and the scope of municipal powers
• Explore governance structures and spheres of jurisdiction
• Review licensing, enforcement, and financial authorities
• Understand legal boundaries around grants and bonusing
• Identify common challenges and access further learning resources

David Potts, Commissioner, Legislative Services and City Solicitor, City of Peterborough

Council and Council Meetings: Roles and Legal Boundaries (64 mins, 2025)

• Understand council and committee structures, meeting procedures, and quorum
• Clarify roles of elected officials, staff, and legal counsel
• Review closed meeting rules, voting procedures, and conflict of interest obligations
• Explore council’s quasi-judicial functions and delegated decision-making
• Gain practical guidance for legal compliance and meeting management

Jason Reynar, Thomson Rogers LLP
Patty Thoma, Former Town Clerk

Building Trust: Accountability and Transparency in Municipal Government (46 mins, Jan 2026)

• Understand the full lifecycle of municipal accountability, from prevention to enforcement
• Explore the roles and mandates of accountability officers and related policies
• Review codes of conduct, transparency frameworks, and judicial inquiries
• Examine how legal counsel supports ethical governance and public trust
• Identify emerging trends and challenges in municipal ethics and oversight

Wendy Walberg, City Solicitor, City of Toronto (2017-2026)

Agencies, Boards, Commissions (ABCs) and Municipal Service Corporations (48 mins, 2026)

• Define the structure, function, and legal status of ABCs and municipal service corporations
• Understand governance models, oversight mechanisms, and funding considerations
• Review accountability and transparency requirements across different entities
• Identify legal risks and mitigation strategies in ABC operations
• Access tools for evaluating performance and supporting effective governance

Jason Reynar, Thomson Rogers LLP

Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation in Municipal Practice (62 mins, 2026)

• Gain foundational understanding of Indigenous rights, sovereignty, and consultation duties
• Explore the implications of UNDRIP and legal obligations under federal/provincial law
• Learn strategies for respectful engagement and reconciliation initiatives
• Understand land use, cultural considerations, and the role of Indigenous legal counsel
• Access tools and resources for equitable, long-term municipal–Indigenous partnerships

John Dunlop, Manager of Indigenous Relations, Culture and Heritage Planning, City of Mississauga
Sabrina Spencer, Partner, Aird & Berlis LLP

This second thematic part/module of the Foundations in Municipal Law and Governance features a series of focused, self-paced virtual classes designed to build essential knowledge of core municipal functions in Ontario. Together with Module 1, this module lays the groundwork for deeper analysis in the live certificate sessions and is also available as a stand-alone program. Completion requires passing one short quiz (15 multiple-choice questions, 80% pass rate) covering both thematic modules. Viewing the virtual classes before attending the live certificate modules is strongly recommended, as content will not be repeated.

Module 2 – Introduction to Some Key Municipal Functions
This module introduces the legal frameworks, decision-making processes, and operational responsibilities that shape some key municipal functions, including planning, finance, procurement, privacy and liability.

Making Municipal Decisions: Bylaws, Undertakings, and Public Consultation (59 mins, 2025)

• Understanding the legal requirements for bylaw-making and council decision-making
• Explore types of bylaws and grounds for judicial review
• Learn procedural fairness and public consultation obligations
• Identify legal risks in inadequate engagement and strategies for defensible bylaws
• Access tools for effective drafting and public participation

Rebecca Hall-McGuire, Deputy City Solicitor, City of Vaughan
Wendy Law, Director, Legislative & Property Services, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Planning the Future: Land-Use Planning and Development Essentials (84 mins, 2026)

• Review land-use planning processes under the Planning Act
• Understand Official Plans, zoning, site plan control, and subdivision approvals
• Explore the Ontario Land Tribunal process and appeal rights
• Examine financial tools, sustainability, and Indigenous consultation in planning
• Identify legal risks and dispute resolution strategies

Stuart Huxley, City Solicitor (Interim), City of Ottawa
Kelly Matsumoto, Deputy City Solicitor, Planning & Administrative Tribunal Law, City of Toronto

Dollars and Decisions: Municipal Finance Essentials (104 mins, 2026)

• Learn the municipal budget cycle and fiscal responsibilities
• Understand taxation powers, development charges, and financial transparency
• Explore the role of the Treasurer and implications of strong mayor powers
• Review legal risks in financial mismanagement and oversight tools
• Access planning resources for sound municipal finance

Kelly Gravelle, Deputy City Solicitor, City of Greater Sudbury
Maja Walters,  Municipal Accounting & Financial Systems Practitioner

Protecting Privacy: MFIPPA and Access to Information Essentials (62 mins, 2026)

• Understand privacy principles and access rights under MFIPPA
• Distinguish between municipal and constituency records
• Learn how to respond to access requests and manage exemptions
• Review the role of the IPC and common legal pitfalls
• Gain tools for compliance, training, and effective records management

Laura Dean, Municipal and Land Use Planning Lawyer

Risk and Responsibility: Municipal Liability Essentials (46 mins, 2026)

• Identify common types of municipal liability and available legal defences
• Understand Minimum Maintenance Standards and policy immunity
• Explore the role of insurance, cybersecurity risks, and emerging liability trends
• Learn strategies for risk mitigation and liability management
• Access tools for proactive legal oversight

David Boghosian, Managing Partner,  Boghosian Allen LLP
Sachin Persaud, Partner, Boghosian Allen LLP

Municipal Contracts Essentials: Legal Foundations and Practical Tools (54 mins, 2026)

• Understand contracts in the municipal setting, legal authority and key elements of enforceable contracts
• Review common contract types and risk allocation mechanisms
• Explore the contract process, lifecycle and roles of key parties
• Learn about dispute resolution clauses, enforcement and contract management

Maurizio Artale, Senior Legal Counsel (Construction), City of Vaughan

Municipal Procurement Essentials: Fairness, Transparency and Legal Compliance (51 mins, 2025)

• Learn core principles of public procurement and legal obligations under trade agreements
• Understand procurement thresholds and competitive processes
• RFPs, RFQs, tenders – legal distinctions and strategic use
• Review common legal risks
• Role of procurement policies and bylaws

Marilyn Brown, Procurement Law Specialist
Karen Reynar, Director, Legal and Procurement Services, Town of Newmarket

Municipal Construction Law Essentials (~45-60 mins, to be recorded in 2026)

• Review construction contracts, lien legislation, and risk allocation principles
• Analyze a case study on delays and cost overruns in municipal projects
• Understand legal counsel’s role in project planning and execution
• Explore indemnity clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms
• Access tools for contract monitoring and legal oversight
• Applied benefit: Build confidence in managing construction-related legal risks and supporting infrastructure projects with sound contract strategies

Maurizio Artale, Senior Legal Counsel (Construction), City of Vaughan

*Note: You’ll continue to have online access to this course until May 25, 2027.