October 17-20, 2023
Digby Pines | Digby, Nova Scotia
Don't Miss a Thing
Event Program
- Pre Conference Day, Tuesday October 17
- Wednesday October 18
- Thursday October 19
- Friday October 20
Municipal Finance Officer (MFO) Session: Workshop – Fraud and Risk Management
Facilitators: Taylor Cameron, Senior Manager Internal Audit Risk and Compliance, KPMG; Tyler Reavell, Senior Manager, KPMG
Join us to take a clear look at what fraud is, how to prevent it where possible, to detect it quickly if it does happen, and to try to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We will look at current fraud cases to learn how fraud happens, and what the red flags are. Then we will look at how to create or improve our control environment using risk control frameworks. Throughout the discussion, we will look at how ethics is the most potent antidote to fraud. Join us to learn:
- About fraud, the fraud triangle, fraud risk factors and warning signs, fraud prevention, and fraud’s relationship to ethics
- Identify types of fraud being committed throughout organizations today
- Consider the impact of rapid change on the fraud environment
- Understanding the basics of risk assessment and how to use risk frameworks
- Recognize the role of personal and corporate ethical codes
Lunch will be held from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm and will be sponsored by the Department of Finance and Treasury Board.
The Power of Plain Language in Municipal Communications
Facilitator: Erin Casey, Professional Communicator, Writer, and Editor
Due to the overwhelmingly positive feedback we received at the Spring Conference, we are bringing back the updated, full-length extended Plain Language workshop. This session is tailored to provide you with the essential skills for effective and inclusive communication. Join us for this hands-on learning experience, where you will learn the basics of plain language, discover why clear and accessible language is not just a matter of communication but an issue of equity and inclusion, and explore the key principles of plain language that will guide you in seamlessly incorporating it into your daily communication. Through interactive exercises and engaging activities, you will have opportunities to practice and refine your plain language skills.
Preparation for the 2024 Municipal Election: A Comprehensive Guide for the Year Ahead
Facilitator: Debbie Kavanaugh, Municipal Elections Officer, DMAH
As we head towards the 2024 Municipal Election, we understand the importance of being well-prepared. In response to numerous requests, we organized a session covering everything you need to know one year before the election. This session will provide valuable information and materials to aid municipalities in preparing for the election. Join us for this informative session and ensure that your Municipality is equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to make the 2024 Municipal Election a success.
Building a Community of Practice: Supporting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategies
Facilitator: Natasha Jackson, Director/Executive Lead Community Engagement, DMAH
Join us for a dynamic and interactive session focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategies within municipalities. Through collaborative discussion and activities, participants will have the opportunity to showcase the innovative approaches and plans they are exploring or using, and ask questions. Workshop attendees will have a chance to gain valuable insights, practical ideas, and effective strategies that can be implemented in their respective municipalities to nurture more welcoming and inclusive communities. By the end of this session, the goal is to develop a framework for an EDI Community of Practice (CoP). Supported by the Province, the EDI CoP will be a safe and rich learning space where municipalities can openly share their current EDI initiatives, ask questions, explore solutions to challenges, and draw inspiration from one another's success stories.
Empowering Municipalities: Enhancing Your Policies and Bylaws
Facilitators: Nick Barr, Director, Governance & Advisory Services, DMAH; Iain MacLean, Municipal Clerk, Halifax Regional Municipality
This session will explore the legislative steps required to pass, amend, and repeal a by-law, and the Province's role in reviewing by-laws. In addition, a seasoned municipal policy professional will offer expert advice on policy development in the municipal sector. This engaging workshop will equip participants with practical knowledge and skills to strengthen municipal policy development processes, ensuring you are well-prepared for future actions.
Unlock the Full Potential of Office 365
Facilitator: Jay Redmond, Manager of IT, Town of Truro
Are you seeking to harness the full capabilities of Office 365 to enhance your efficiency and productivity? Office 365 has a comprehensive suite of applications that offer a wealth of tools to simplify and streamline your administrative tasks. This session will explore a range of available tools and demonstrate how to leverage them effectively excel (pardon my pun) in your role. Whether you're seeking to enhance communication, boost productivity, or streamline administrative processes, this session is tailored to address these unique needs.
Key highlights of the session include:
- An overview of essential Office 365 tools catered to municipal administrators
- Practical demonstrations on how to use these tools to optimize your daily tasks and workflows
- Tips and tricks to enhance collaboration and communication with your team and stakeholders
- Insights into managing data, budgets, and reports with ease using Excel and other Office 365 applications
CAO Session
*FOR CAO'S ONLY. This session is an opportunity for CAOs of each Municipality to get together, have candid conversations, and strategize about the issues impacting them, their Municipality, and their regions. Appetizers will be served at 5:00 pm.
Exhibitor Tradeshow
While our exhibitors are busy setting up for the conference, be sure to take a stroll over to the tradeshow area in Salon A & B and give them a warm hello. Our exhibitors are also welcome to join us for the opening reception
Registration Desk
Our friendly registration desk staff are here to assist with check-ins and address any questions or needs you might have. You can find them in the Grand Lounge until 9:00 pm.
Opening Reception
Catch up with your municipal colleagues and our Vendors over refreshments and light hors d'oeuvres. This is a great time to network and meet your counterparts within municipal government. Feel free to take advantage of the cash bar, where alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink options will also be available. One drink ticket for this event can be found in your conference badge.
This reception is sponsored by:
Registration
Digby Hall (Entrance Area)
Our friendly registration desk staff are here to assist with check-ins and address any questions or needs you might have.
Early Bird Draws / Coffee
Salon Foyer and Digby Hall
Join us for a morning networking session and a chance to win some prizes from other municipalities. Grab a coffee and take some time to visit with our vendors in Salon A & B. The Early Bird Draws will start at 8:30 am in Digby Hall .
Please note: While we'll provide light breakfast items, we strongly recommend having a nutritious breakfast before joining the conference.
Opening Ceremonies / Welcoming Remarks
Digby Hall
- Remarks by Conference Chairs - Victoria Brooks, CAO, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and Jenny Porter Municipal Clerk, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth.
- Remarks by AMANS President - John MacKinnon, Deputy CAO, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
- Greetings from Host Municipality - Linda Gregory, Warden of the Municipality of District of Digb
- Greetings from Host Sponsoring Town - Ben Cleveland, Mayor of the Town of Digby
- Greetings from the Province of Nova Scotia (tbc)
- Others to be added
Opening Keynote – Serve to Lead: A fresh perspective to leadership
Digby Hall
Speaker: Phil Jewell, Leadership Disrupter
We're all leaders, no matter whether we hold an official leadership position or not, and no one ever passes the course that says "that's it, you're now a leader". We're all learning, all growing, all failing. In "Serve To Lead", Phil's shares his three most important leadership principles, two practical questions any leader should ask, and one thought to ponder. He will do this whilst recounting his times on patrol in the Wadi's and deserts of Afghanistan and the lessons he learned on the way; ones that had been introduced to him during his training and became embodied during some of the most intense challenges a leader can face. Subsequently becoming the cornerstone of his leadership, he will share how he has successfully transferred and applied them in his second leadership career outside the Army. Regardless of the industry or sector, Phil strongly believes his 3-2-1 principles can be, and should be, universally applied. This follows his motto: that leadership is leadership, and it starts with one's self, regardless of the industry or profession.
Presenting Sponsor Presentation: Local threats in a global age – municipal responses to cyberthreats
Digby Hall
Speaker: Peter Morin, Principal, National Cybersecurity Leader
As communities continue to digitalize and interconnect essential services, they become attractive targets for cyber attackers. Municipal leaders face unprecedented challenges as they seek to protect their citizens by employing mitigation strategies, including comprehensive continuity and incident response plans. As we speed toward an increasingly connected future, protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats will remain a top priority for leadership in the public sector.
Networking Break/Viewing of Exhibits
Salon Foyer, Digby Hall, Garden Room
Don't miss out on the chance to connect with our vendors in the exhibitor area. Make sure to get your stamp card stamped for a shot at some great prizes during the exhibitor lunch on Thursday. Please note: we have set up numerous break stations to alleviate congestion. For attendees of session A1, we encourage you to take your break in the Churchill Foyer, following your visit to the exhibitor area, of course!
A1: The Future of Recreation Facilities in Nova Scotia
Garden Room
This session will provide a comprehensive look into the current state of recreation facilities in our province, covering essential topics that shape the success and growth of these vital spaces:
- Employee Retention and Recruitment: Acquire valuable insights into effective tactics for enticing and keeping skilled personnel. Cultivate a motivated workforce that propels the triumph of your recreation facilities.
- Proactive Approaches for Part-Time/Seasonal Staff: Take proactive measures to preempt potential challenges and guarantee a seamless experience for your part-time and seasonal workforce. Foster an environment of harmony and productivity.
- Training and Advancement for Recreation Facility Staff: Explore innovative methods to invest in the professional development of your staff. Empower them to excel in their roles and deliver exceptional services.
- Managing Capital Expenses, Addressing Aging and Damaged Infrastructure: Navigate the complexities associated with aging and compromised infrastructure. Investigate pragmatic remedies for handling capital expenses, including essential upgrades.
- Integration of Recreation Facilities and Emergency Management (EMO): Examine the intersection of recreational facilities and Emergency Management Organizations (EMOs). Explore how these entities should be integrated into community emergency readiness strategies.
A2: Access and Privacy Essentials Navigating the Process and Tools for a Seamless Municipal Response
Salon C
Speaker: Carmen Stuart, Executive Director and Chief Privacy Officer, Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for Nova Scotia
This session consists of a presentation, interactive conversation and activities covering the basics of access and privacy legislation in Nova Scotia. Offering practical tools and time to practice, this session gives your Municipality a foundation for meeting its obligations to protect personal information.
This session is sponsored by:
A3: Natural Disasters - Lessons Learned and the Road to Recovery: Learn from Municipal Emergency Management Offices!
Digby Hall
Speaker Panel:
- Bruce MacDonald, Manager of Emergency Management, CBRM
- Dwayne Hunt, Fire Services Coordinator, Municipality of Barrington
- Shane Strong, Regional Emergency Management Coordinator, Yarmouth REMO
- Daniel Bryce, Senior Planner, DMAH
Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your preparedness and strengthen your municipal response to emergencies. Join us for a compelling session where you'll gain invaluable insights from municipal emergency management offices. Explore successful collaboration strategies, resource-sharing approaches, and how they safeguard assets during recent natural disasters. You will also learn about the municipal flood line mapping initiative that DMAH has been working on to develop possible maps for municipalities related to climate change. This initiative is intended to identify high-water sheds and better support municipalities in flood disaster situations.
Wellness Luncheon
Churchill’s Lounge
Sponsored by:
Prioritize Your Mental Health: Self-Care during High-Stress Situations
Digby Hall
Speakers: Kathryn Brooks, Mental Health Clinician, Nova Scotia Health; Member of NS Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) response team
Livinus Numfor, Health Promotion Specialist
Join us for a crucial mental health focus on self-care during high-stress situations. Discover effective strategies and techniques to protect and nurture your well-being. Learn what self-care entails and how to implement it during challenging times.
Networking Break/Viewing of Exhibits
Salon Foyer and Digby Hall
Don't miss out on the chance to connect with our vendors in the exhibitor area. Make sure to get your exhibitor card stamped for a shot at some great prizes during the luncheon tomorrow (Thursday at 12:15 pm). Please note: we have set up break stations in the Salon Foyer and Digby Hall to alleviate congestion.
Provincial Update
Digby Hall
Come join us for updates from various Province of Nova Scotia departments on the following topics:
- Housing Programs and Nova Scotia Building Officials Association Update
- Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing Update
- Emergency Management Office - Staff update
- Opportunities for Collaboration on Radon
- Addressing social, climate, and economic issues through forestry
Strolling Station Supper
You were required to register for this dinner beforehand in order to attend. Delegates who did not register will be responsible for their own dinner. In Churchill's Lounge, we'll be having a strolling station supper. The stations will feature a variety of options, including but not limited to, a poutine station, an assorted salad bar, a Mexican station, a maritime station and a dessert station. If you have registered, your name badge holds your dinner ticket to attend the strolling station supper! Your ticket must be presented to staff at the entrance of Churchill's Lounge.
Here's the scoop:
- Buffet stations will be set up not only in Churchill's Lounge but also in the downstairs hallway and, weather permitting, out on the patio.
- You can roam and explore all the stations or stick to your favorites.
- If it gets a bit cozy in Churchill's Lounge, we've got extra seating all set up in the garden room.
Casino Night and Tide & Timbre
Grand Lounge
Join us for a Casino Night filled with fun, excitement, and charitable giving. Experience the thrill of casino games and feel good while doing so with all event proceeds being donated to a local charity. And that's not all – while you're enjoying the casino fun entertainment is provided by the fantastic local group, Tide & Timbre! Note: There is a $20.00 door charge (cash only) so be sure to plan ahead to not miss out. Mark your calendar, bring your luck, and we hope to see you there for an evening of games, prizes, and top-notch entertainment! This event is sponsored by
Note:There is a $20.00 door charge (cash only) so be sure to plan ahead to not miss out. Mark your calendar, bring your luck, and we hope to see you there for an evening of games, prizes, and top-notch entertainment!
This event is sponsored by:
Early Riser Walk/ Run- Unstructured
Registration
Digby Hall (Entrance Area)
Our friendly registration desk staff are here to assist with check-ins and address any questions or needs you might have.
Early Bird Draws / Coffee
Salon Foyer and Digby Hall
Join us for a morning networking session and a chance to win some prizes from other municipalities. Grab a coffee, and take some time to visit with our vendors in Salon A & B. The Early Bird Draws will start at 8:45 am in Digby Hall.
Please note: While we'll provide light breakfast items, we strongly recommend having a nutritious breakfast before joining the conference.
Keynote – Leaders Shape the Future
Speaker: Harriette Schumacher, Master Certified Executive Coach
Leaders today face such rapidly escalating complexity, uncertainty, and market volatility that they must accelerate their development to stay competitive. Developing leaders who can navigate this complexity is now a strategic priority - and, if done well, a competitive advantage. Leaders set the agenda for the future. Their influence is so pervasive that our global future is intertwined with their development. We need better leaders at all levels - leaders who are dedicated to creating a thriving business - and our sustainable collective welfare at the same time. In this session, Harriette will share:
- Why Leadership Development matters now more than ever before
- The Promise of Leadership for a sustainable future
- Six Leadership Practices to increase leadership effectiveness
AMA Updates and AGM
Digby Hall
Come learn what your Association has been working on and join us for the Annual General Meeting.Networking Break/Viewing of Exhibits
Salon Foyer, Digby Hall, Garden Room
Don't miss out on the chance to connect with our vendors in the exhibitor area. Please note: We have set up numerous break stations to alleviate congestion. For attendees of session B3, we encourage you to take your break in the Churchill Lounge Foyer, following your visit to the exhibitor area, of course.
Concurrent B: Municipal Success Stories
These concurrent sessions are designed to highlight the some accomplishments of various municipalities. During these sessions, you'll get to hear about real-life examples of municipal achievements, gaining valuable insights and strategies directly from our peers. From innovative solutions to successful collaborations, these stories will offer valuable takeaways and provide you with actionable ideas. Don't pass up the chance to discover the secrets behind their success and apply them to your own Municipality.
B1: Empowering Inclusive Communities: Navigating Accessibility Plans for Municipalities
Salon C
Speaker Panel:
- Elise Johnston, Accessibility & Inclusion Coordinator, Region of Queens Municipality
- Sharon Bristol, Director, Community Living, Town of Amherst
- Hannah MacDougall, Accessibility Program Specialist, Nova Scotia Accessibility Directorate, Department of Justice
This session showcases successful Accessibility Plans implemented by municipalities. Discover firsthand how these municipalities have successfully navigated the path toward inclusivity and gain valuable insights into their strategies and best practices. This session provides the tools, practical knowledge, and inspiration to drive positive change within your own Municipality.
B2: Unveiling Diverse Approaches in Municipal Strategic Planning
Digby Hall
Speaker Panel:
- Angélique LeBlanc, CEO Western Regional Enterprise Network
- Keith MacDonald, CAO Municipality of the County of Inverness
This session uncovers the power of a well-defined strategic plan in securing funding for diverse initiatives. Hear firsthand how municipalities crafted their strategic plans, utilizing unique approaches to achieve their objectives. Gain valuable insights into the art of strategic planning and learn how it can be tailored to attract funding for your projects.
This session is sponsored by: 
B3: The Journey in Accessing Funding Streams
Garden Room
Speaker Panel:
- Jeff Gushue, CAO, Town of Yarmouth
- DeMario Dunkley, Project Engineer, Town of Yarmouth
- Alain Muise, CAO, Municipality of Argyle
This session will unlock the door to funding opportunities for your municipality. Hear the triumphs of municipalities and gain valuable insights into the art of grant writing and the strategies that led to their funding success.
Exhibitor Lunch
Churchill's Lounge
During this luncheon, you have an opportunity to win some great prizes from our Exhibitors. Make sure your exhibitor passport is completed and turned in at the luncheon to be eligible for the draw.
Housing and Homelessness
Digby Hall
Speaker: Max Chauvin, Director of Housing and Homelessness, Parks and Recreation, Halifax Regional Municipality.
Max will speak on recent developments, provide advice to addressing homelessness at the municipal level, and share details from the Frameworks for Addressing Homelessness. He will also discuss the provincial roles and responsibilities of housing and what role municipalities play in the coordination of provided services.
Networking Break/Viewing of Exhibits
Salon Foyer, Digby Hall, Garden Room
Don't miss out on the chance to connect with our vendors in the exhibitor area. Please note: We have set up numerous break stations to alleviate congestion. For attendees of session C1, we encourage you to take your break in the Churchill Lounge Foyer, following your visit to the exhibitor area, of course. This refreshment break is sponsored by:
Concurrent C
C1: Local Government Budgeting with a Challenging Future in Mind
Speaker: Chris Morrill, Executive Director/CEO, Government Finance Officers Association
Chris will share the Government Finance Officers Association’s latest research on “Rethinking Budgeting”. This interactive session will provide you with ideas and to prepare a budget that better meets the increasing needs of your community supports organizational change, and builds citizen trust.
C2: Fraud & Cybersecurity – Keeping Your Business Safe
Salon C
Speaker: Rob Knoblauch - VP Information Security & Control & Deputy CISO
Join us as we dive into tips to help you keep your business safe from fraud. Delegates will hear about common attacks, and explore best practices for protecting themselves and their municipality.
Sponsored by: 
C3: Putting Local Data at the Fingertips of Municipal Government
Digby Hall
Speaker: Danny Graham, Chief Engagement Officer (CEO), Engage Nova Scotia
Almost 13,000 Nova Scotians responded to a 230-question survey administered by Engage Nova Scotia in 2019, making it one of the largest single quality-of-life data sets anywhere. They have built ground-breaking new tools to help municipal leaders extract the findings of the survey at hyper-local and demographically intersectional levels. Danny Graham of Engage Nova Scotia will demonstrate a recent Nova Scotia case example of how this approach (broad and deep data, plus nimble tools) is informing municipal strategy, priorities and policy. He will also discuss the role of Nova Scotia municipalities in the next survey.
TrailQuest Scavenger Hunt Adventure – Wellness Activity
Presidents Reception
Grand Lounge
AMANS President John MacKinnon invites all conference attendees to the President's Reception and Annual Banquet. A small reception preceding the President's Banquet will take place before the President's Banquet in the Grand Lounge.
President's Banquet
Digby Hall
This will include a dinner and presentation of awards for long service, professional development, etc. This dinner is included with registration. There will be a cash bar available. Note: Dress code is semi-formal.
Hospitality Suite - Cottage 29
Executive Cottage
Join us in Cottage 29 for the after-banquet social event, that will be bartended by DMAH and sponsored by Thinkdox. A variety of local beverages, specialty drinks and non-alcoholic options will be available.
Early Bird Draws / Coffee
Salon Foyer and Digby Hall
CJoin us for our last morning networking session and a chance to win some prizes from other municipalities. Grab a coffee, and take some time to visit with our vendors in Salon A & B. The Early Bird Draws will start at 8:45 am in Digby Hall. Please note: While we'll provide light breakfast items, we strongly recommend having a nutritious breakfast before joining the conference.Negotiations in an Imperfect World
Digby Hall
Speaker: Jennifer Komar, Organizational Development Consultant, Nova Scotia Health
In this session, Jennifer will shed some light on how negotiation strategies and research can be effectively applied in various everyday interactions and relationships. Learn how to deal productively with conflicts and harness negotiation as a mechanism to generate innovative solutions to problems. Whether you encounter high-stakes negotiations or handle low-stress situations, understanding and effectively communicating your goals, as well as understanding the other person's objectives, are crucial. Jennifer will guide you through the art of creative problem-solving, enabling you to explore solutions that lead to "win-win" outcomes, benefiting all parties involved.
Networking Break/Viewing of Exhibits
Salon Foyer and Digby Hall
While we take our last coffee break, swing by the back of Digby Hall to meet our closing keynote, Karen Dean. She's got some fantastic books up for grabs:
- We are Unbreakable - $15 (tax included)
- Fierce and Fabulous: A Self-Love Journal - $12 (tax included)
Note: Just a heads up, we're going old school - cash only!
Closing Keynote: Raw. Real. Resilient.
Speaker: Karen Dean, inspirational speaker, best-selling author, entrepreneur and coach
Karen will share personal stories of her own Raw, Real and Resilient journey in life and business that will inspire audience members to find new ways to move ahead into the next chapter of their lives, surviving and thriving. Karen analyzes her resiliency through struggle and provides concrete strategies on how others can also find lessons in their own challenges and use them to become stronger, more resilient and more successful, professionally and personally.
Closing Remarks and Grand Prize Draw
Digby Hall
Grand Prize: AirPods (3rd Generation) with MagSafe Charging Case 12.9-inch iPad Pro Wi-Fi + Cellular 256GB - Space Grey, with Apple Pencil (2nd Generation), Smart Keyboard Folio, and two year AppleCare+ Throw your badge in the Grand Prize Draw box for your chance to win. You must be in attendance to win.Presenting Sponsor
Municipal Sponsors
Exhibitors
