Ontario Municipal Human Resources Association
Fall Conference 2018Agenda
Tackling 2018 Challenges with Success
Wednesday, September 19thThanks to our sponsors!
The events and activities being held during the OMHRA Fall Conference have been made possible through the generous financial support of our sponsors!
Registration Desk at the Conference is in the Foyeroutside the Crystal Ballroom
12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. golf registration
1:00p.m.
Start / The Annual John Panunto Memorial Golf Tournament sponsored by Buffett Taylor
John Panunto was a long-time member of OMHRA as well as a member of the Pension & Benefits Committee. His volunteerism was very much appreciated by the membership. John was an avid long-distance runner and cyclist as well as a devoted father and husband.
To be held at Nottawasaga Inn Resort & Conference Center Golf Course– Rain or Shine – Tee times start at 1:00 p.m. – this is a FUN tournament!
Registration desk for golf is at “Putters” beside the putting green to the right of the main driveway.
Optional event, additional fee applies
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. / Nottawasaga “MINUTE TO WIN IT CHALLENGE”
Based on the popular game show, teams will spend the afternoon completing wild and wacky challenges using household items in one minute or less.This challenge is a great way to meet new people and share fun experiences.The team with the most points at the end of these hilarious games wins the Nottawasaga Minute to Win it!
Please meet in Room 9 at 1:00 p.m.
Optional event, additional fee applies
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. / BBQ Dinner
Golfers and Non-GolfersWelcome!
Location: Room 10
8:30 p.m. to
9:00 p.m. / Newcomers’ and Sponsors’ Reception
Location:Room 10
Are you a new member of OMHRA – or is this your first OMHRA event? Newcomers are invited to attend a welcoming reception hosted by the OMHRA Boardand Sponsors.
9:00 p.m. to
11:00 p.m. / Networking Event
Location:Room 10
Conference participants are invited to come out and enjoy a relaxing evening networking with other municipal Human Resources staff from across the province.
Thursday, September 20th
7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. / ACTIVITY TIME –LET’S GET PHYSICAL
Three Great Options:
1. Get Out Your Walking/Running Shoes and explore Nottawasaga Valley! Please meet in the main lobby.
2. Join your colleagues at the gymor pool for an independent workout in Nott’s Landing!
3. Yoga: Join Anouschka Van den Bosch for a relaxing yoga session! Location to be determined.Bring your yoga mat, if you have one!
Don't miss your chance to win 1 of 2 PRIZES!
7:30 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. / Hot Breakfast Buffet
Location: Room 15
8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. / Welcoming Remarks and Delegate Introductions
Location: Crystal Ballroom
President’s Message: Rosanne Mantesso, President, OMHRA
Civic Address: Rick Milne, Mayor, Town ofNew Tecumseth
8:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. / Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nick Bontis, “Leadershifting HR – Working smarter, not harder”
Ranked among the Top 30 management gurus world-wide, Dr. Nick Bontis is recognized by the former Editor of Harvard Business Review and Fortune Magazine as “a pioneer and one of the world’s real experts in intellectual capital.”Maclean's Magazine has rated him as one of “McMaster University's most popular business professors for six years in a row!” He is also a 3M National Teaching Fellow, an exclusive honour only bestowed upon the top university professors in the country!
Information bombardment is the single most damaging threat to HR productivity. But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Why not leadershift his threat into a sustainable competitive advantage for you and your organization? Let's start to work smarter, instead of harder. During this enlightening and action-packed keynote presentation you will learn how to:
•transform your HR strategic acumen
•cope with information bombardment
•improve your ability to manage change
•lift productivity and efficiency
•speed up innovation through collaboration
•determine what HR leadership action you can take tomorrow
10:00 a.m. to 10:15a.m. / Keynote Speaker Meet & Greet and Refreshment Break
Location: Foyer
10:15 a.m. to 11:00a.m. / Session A: Canadian Cannabis Craze
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Speaker: Dr. Melissa Snider-Adler, Chief Medical Review Officer, DriveCheck Inc.
Dr. Snider-Adler is the Chief Medical Review Officer for DriverCheck Inc. and is a Board Certified Addiction Medicine Physician. Dr. Snider-Adler is an Assistant Professor at Queen's University Department of Family Medicine educating residents about addiction medicine. She was one of the authors of the 2011 Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program Standards and Clinical Guidelines and continues to work as a Peer Assessor for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. With her MRO knowledge and her background in Addiction Medicine, she often works with companies across Canada to develop and update their Alcohol and Drug Testing Programs. Dr. Snider-Adler is an expert in the field and gives talks across Canada to companies, physicians and the community about workplace substance use and addiction prevention and treatment.
This presentation will outline the following:
- Cannabinoid Summary – THC vs. CBD
- Impairment from cannabinoids – what do we know in 2018
- An up to date detailed look at Medical Cannabis in the workplace
- Dealing with an employee who is using medical cannabis in the workplace
- Challenges of recreational cannabis in the workplace – what will change on October 17?
- Acknowledging the risk of substance use disorder
- Testing capabilities of devices – today and future
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. / Session B:Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Speaker: Zaheer Lakhani, Partner, and Rishi Bandhu, Partner, Bandhu, Lakhani, Campea LLP.
This presentation will outline the following:
- Drug and Alcohol testing: the difference between for cause and random testing and understanding the employer’s ability to pre-screen for potential drug and alcohol abuse issues.
- Understanding the relevance of off duty drug use and abuse to the workplace.
- Understanding employer accommodation obligations with respect to drug and alcohol addiction and balancing workplace safety.
- Understanding Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act, and Ontario’s Bill 174, the Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act and its impact on the workplace.
- Understanding the legal distinction between medical marijuana versus recreational marijuana.
- Takeaways for updating workplace drug and alcohol policies
12:00p.m. to 1:15 p.m. / Lunch Break: A buffet lunch will be served
Location: Crystal Ballroom
12:45 p.m. / OMHRA Annual General Meeting
Location: Crystal Ballroom
a) Approval of 2017 Annual General Meeting Minutes
b) Annual Reports:
- Governance and Nomination
- Organizational Performance
- Stakeholder Relations
- Education
- Accreditation
- Financial Statements
1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. / Session C: Presidential Address: Advancing Our Strategy
The OMHRA Executive Team will provide a timely update on the status of key strategic initiatives including:
- OMHRA Co-ordinated Bargaining Group (OCBG)
- Bargaining Guidelines 2018
- LRIS Improvement Plan
Speakers: Rosanne Mantesso, OMHRA President, Yakov Sluckenkov, OMHRA Vice President, Louise Ann Riddell, OMHRA Past President
2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. / Session D: OMERS Update: Comprehensive Plan Review – Possible Changes to Your Plan
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Speakers: Paul Harrietha, Chief Executive Officer, and Chris VandenHaak, Vice President of Pension Strategy and Governance, OMERS Sponsors Corporation
Paul Harrietha is responsible for providing executive leadership and direction to the employees of the Sponsors Corporation. This includes helping Sponsors Corporation Board deliver on its key responsibilities related to Plan design, contributions, stabilization reserves, sponsor and stakeholder relations, and Board composition.
Chris VandenHaak joined the OMERS Sponsors Corporation in 2012, bringing a wealth of retirement-industry experience gained in the consulting practice of Mercer (Canada) Ltd., a leader in the benefits consulting industry. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of pension plan management, including funding, accounting, administration and the governance of defined benefit pension plans.
Since updating OMHRA at its Spring Workshop, OMERS Sponsors Corporation (SC) has identified potential Plan options for further consideration and consultation based on extensive financial modeling and direct feedback from stakeholders. Ahead of voting on these proposed Plan options in November, the SC will be consulting directly with stakeholders – including employers, unions and members. Collectively, the proposed options are designed to modernize the Plan; that is, to enhance sustainability to keep pensions meaningful and affordable for generations to come.
OMERS looks forward to providing an overview of the proposed Plan options – including financial and member impacts – and engaging directly with OMHRA members as part of the consultation process. This session will help identify thoughts, ideas, concerns and recommendations for OMERS consideration.
3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. / Refreshment Break
Location: Foyer
3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. / Session E1:Secrets to Building Great Staff-Council Relationships
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Speakers: Tony Haddad, Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Tecumseth, and Kyle Pratt, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Bluewater
Tony is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Tecumseh. He is responsible for the co-ordination of all administrative, program and service delivery functions and for the overall management of the Town.Previously, he served as the Director, Business Planning & Budgets for York Region. Tony holds a graduate degree in business administration and is an accomplished municipal administrator with over 30 years of experience dedicated to providing support and advice to Senior Management and Council in single tier, lower tier and regional municipalities.
Kyle is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Bluewater. Previously, he served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Plympton-Wyoming. Kyle began his career in municipal government over 11 years ago, as an AMCTO Municipal Management Intern with the County of Hastings. Kyle has served on AMCTO’s Legislative Committee and Board of Directors, and is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the London and District Human Resources Professional Association Chapter Executive.
Strong partnerships between Council and staff is a requirement to effective municipal management. Often the lack of harmonization is caused by lack of understanding and agreement on roles for both Council and staff. Both Council and staff members have a responsibility to recognize these issues and work to resolve them. This interactive session will discuss roles and responsibilities, the changing dynamics of council, sources of conflict and practical approaches.
Session E2: Combining the Worlds of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Human Resources
Location: Room TBD
Speaker: Peter Simmons, Principal Consultant and President, Knox Dalton and Associates, and PrasannaGunasekera, Senior Director of Business Systems, SmartProz Inc.
Peter Simmons is a seasoned executive with a portfolio of corporate service leadership, public engagement and team development experience. Educated in Canada, the US and UK he, along with his team, brings a perspective not found in other firms.
PrasannaGunasekera is your next generation technology expert, providing IT consulting services, business process optimization, IT resourcing, App development and a host of related product and services.
This presentation will delve into the field of artificial intelligence, or AI, and how it has, and will, influence the world of human resources and of all its facets from recruitment and talent management to health and safety and organizational design. The conversation will focus on how AI quietly and subtly shapes an organizational culture often without the awareness of the leadership. Through a discussion of the history of AI, case studies and current and emerging products the audience will experience and learn of the effects and impacts of AI, and the tools and processes that can assist in mitigating the negative, and enhancing the positive.
4:15 p.m. / Visit the Sponsors!
Please take the time to visit the Sponsor booths and have your Passport filled out for a chance to win a $100 Prepaid Gift Card!
4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. / Break
* At 4:30 p.m., Optional Session: An OMMIrepresentativewill be available to provide assistance to those working on, or soon starting, their OMMI/OMHRA HR Designation Application.
ACTIVITY TIME –LET’S GET PHYSICAL!
Three Great Options:
1. Get Out Your Walking/Running Shoes and explore Nottawasaga Valley! Please meet in the main lobby.
2. Join your colleagues at thegym or pool for an independent workout in Nott’s Landing.
3. Yoga: Join Anouschka Van den Bosch for a relaxing yoga session! Location to be determined. Bring your yoga mat, if you have one!
Don't miss your chance to win 1 of 2 PRIZES!
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. / Banquet Reception
Location: Room 10
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. / Fall Conference Banquet
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Opening Remarks
Presentation of Terry Hallman Scholarship
Acknowledgment of Exiting Board Members
Presentation of OMMI / OMHRA Human Resources Designations
9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. / Networking Event –Not Your Ordinary Hospitality Suite
Jungle Quest Mini-Golf and Billiards Party
Don't forget to make your way to the Jungle Quest Mini-Golf and Billiards Party! As you navigate along a winding fun-filled jungle expedition you will encounter treacherous lush terrain (watch out for the water hazard on hole 15) as well as native wildlife hiding around every corner. This fully-lit night adventure is open to all attendees free of charge and is sure to create a few laugh-out-loud moments!
Location: Arcade & Games Room – Sports and Leisure Dome (Nott’s Landing)
PS. If you would like to try out the many arcade games available don’t forget your change!
Friday, September 21st
7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. /
ACTIVITY TIME –LET’S GET PHYSICAL!
Three Great Options:
1. Get Out Your Walking/Running Shoes and explore Nottawasaga Valley! Please meet in the main lobby.
2. Join your colleagues at the gym or pool for an independent workout!
3. Yoga: Join Anouschka Van den Bosch for a relaxing yoga session! Location to be determined. Bring your yoga mat, if you have one!
Don't miss your chance to win 1 of 2 PRIZES!
7:45 a.m. to 8:45a.m. / Breakfast
Location: Room 15
9:00 a.m. to
10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions / Session F1: Social Media In the Workplace: The Do’s, the Don’ts and the Disasters.
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Speakers: Karen Gordon, Principal, Gordon Strategy Inc., and Mark Mason, Partner, Hicks Morley LLP.
In a communications career spanning over two decades, Karen has developed an extensive body of work punctuated by numerous high-stakes, high-profile, strategically complex engagements. Prior to founding Gordon Strategy, she cut her teeth in communications working in politics, business and government. She appears regularly on radio and television as a recognized communications expert.
Mark Mason is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. His practice includes arbitration advocacy, employment litigation, human rights proceedings and the entire spectrum of collective bargaining, including interest arbitrations and strike management. Mark advises a variety of public and private sector employers and brings a practical and solution-focused approach to the legal services he provides.
Without question one of the issues facing all employers relates to social media in the workplace and the intersection between employee’s personal social media and their work lives. Mark Mason and Karen Gordon take you through both the legal and publication risk and rewards of this often, terrifying topic.
This presentation will include the following:
- Provide an understanding of the realm of social media from texting to Tinder and Facebook to Twitter
- Review the role of social media both in the municipal workplace and employee’s personal lives and to understand the intersection
- Review the legal requirements of monitoring employee’s social media – professional and personal
- Discuss relevant communications tools and how to handle a social media crisis in the workplace
- Legal remedies for social media gone bad
Location: Room 15
Speakers:Asha Rampersad, Lawyer & HR Advisor, and Natasha Savoline, Lawyer & HR Advisor, Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP.
Asha has represented major Crown Corporations, municipalities and large private sector clients on a broad range of labour and employment matters, including human rights litigation; grievance arbitrations; AODA and human rights compliance; and occupational health and safety issues.
Natasha joined Bernardi Human Resource Law in 2014 as a lawyer and HR advisor. Since 2003 she has been advising private and public sector employers and HR professionals on all aspects of labour and employment law matters using a balanced and proactive approach.
Natasha’s passion for fairness and creating positive and respectful workplaces informs her work as an experienced workplace investigator in areas such as harassment, discrimination, violence, sexual harassment and code of conduct violations.
All too often employers’ requests for medical evidence in support of an absence are met with a cryptic note on a prescription pad that says: “under medical care, to be reassessed in two weeks”. Employers sometimes respond by sending employees for independent medical examinations but recent case law restricts Employers rights to do so.
This important session examines how much evidence an employer is entitled to, how much say a physician has in determining accommodating measures and when and how to get the right information.
This practical session will address this challenging issue from both from a legal and HR perspective. Topics covered include:
- What to do when employees don’t provide enough information
- Satisfying privacy and human rights legislation when requesting medical information
- Getting all the information you need including physical and psycho-social restrictions and accommodations
- What recent case law says about when you can request an independent medical examination and under what circumstances
- Do you have to follow the physician’s advice about accommodation?
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. / Refreshment Break
Location: Foyer
10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. / Session G: Hicks Morley – Legal Update
Location: Crystal Ballroom
Speakers: Michael Kennedy, Partner, and Stephanie Jeronimo, Associate, Hicks Morley LLP.
Michael Kennedy is a labour and employment lawyer in Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. Michael is counsel to a wide variety of broader public sector employers, such as universities and municipalities, and large private sector employers.
Stephanie Jeronimo is a labour and employment lawyer at Hicks Morley’s Toronto office. Stephanie advises and represents both public and private sector employers on a wide range of labour and employment matters, including labour relations and collective bargaining, human rights matters, wrongful dismissal litigation, employment standards, workplace safety and insurance and pay equity issues.
Join us as Hicks provides us with their annual enlightening selection of legal cases and precedents that are impacting our workplaces. You won’t want to miss it!
11:45 a.m. / Closing Remarks
Door Prizes and Activity Time Draws – must be present to win
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