Program

Rural Healthy Democracy Forum Program
*The program information below is subject to change

June 11, 2025

8:00 a.m.  Breakfast
8:30 a.m.  Robin Jones, AMO President
8:35 a.m.  Christa Lowry, ROMA Chair
8:40 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project: an introduction to the groundbreaking project working to accelerate the health of municipal democracies across Ontario

  • Petra Wolfbeiss, Director, AMO Membership Centre
  • Stewart McDonough, Lead, AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project
9:00 a.m. –10:15 a.m.   Let’s talk social health. 
Social health isn’t just a personal health issue - it’s a societal one. When people feel disconnected and unseen, it doesn’t just impact their well-being. It fuels broader challenges like incivility, the spread of misinformation, political polarization, and a growing mistrust in institutions and one another. Disconnection breeds division and suspicion, while connection fosters understanding, empathy, and collaboration.

Join Pete Bombaci to discover practical strategies for nurturing deep connections and forging a path toward stronger and more connected homes, streets, classrooms, workplaces, communities — and a more cohesive and resilient society. Let’s shape a future where meaningful bonds are the cornerstone of our collective well-being and the antidote to some of the greatest social challenges of our time.
  • Pete Bombaci, Founder & CEO, GenWell
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.       Coffee Break 
10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.    

How to survive and thrive in the current political environment as a community leader.

Municipal leaders are at the forefront of shaping vibrant, thriving communities, but the pressures of public service today—harassment, scrutiny, and unrelenting challenges—are causing many to step away. 
Join us for an honest, hopeful conversation about how we can lead with resilience and purpose. Together, we’ll explore:

  • Mental Health Matters:  Why prioritizing the emotional and mental health of elected officials is essential—and how we can create safe, sustainable environments for leaders to succeed.
  • The Power of Mentorship:  How trusted guidance and peer support can sustain leaders through challenges and help cultivate the next generation of public servants.
  • Finding Your Why: How to lead from your values, stay grounded in your purpose, and unite your community around a shared vision for the future.
     
  • Jordan Simmons, Co-founder & CEO, Nominee
11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     Allies 4 Democracy
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.     Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.     AMO’s Local Democracy Accelerator approach: the steps you can take in your municipality to speed up democratic health
  • Stewart McDonough, Lead, AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project
1:40 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.     AMO’s Democratic Engagement Solutions Bank: how to use and contribute to a Bank full of inspiring potential solutions to democratic challenges in your communities. 
  • Dr. Chris Erl, Researcher, Democratic Engagement Exchange, Toronto Metropolitan University
2:20 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.    

Sharing AMO’s new civic education resources. In partnership with CIVIX, the national experts on civic education, AMO has developed new civic education resources that are available to all AMO members for use in their communities. Learn from Mayor Jamie McGarvey, and teacher Julie Hoyles who have used the resources and can share their experiences.

  • Mayor Jamie McGarvey, Town of Parry Sound 
  • Julie C.P. Hoyles, Grade 5/6 Teacher, Manor Park Public School
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.         Coffee Break 
3:30 p.m. – 4:20 p.m.        

Ways to improve the candidate experience in Rural Ontario

Increasingly, qualified candidates and experienced elected officials are weighing the risks and rewards of running or seeking re-election for municipal office. Risks for candidates and growing incivility are outweighing the good news stories of remarkable, positive change being accomplished through inspiring, committed municipal leadership. 

It’s time to rebalance the risk/reward equation.

Join a conversation that will explore experiences and examine opportunities to improve the candidate experience informed by research undertaken by AMO through its Healthy Democracy Project and Operation Black Vote Canada:

Both initiatives offer solutions that municipalities, civil societies, community organizations, and election officials can as we work together to encourage and support candidates running for municipal office.

Moderator 

  • Petra Wolfbeiss, Director of AMO’s Membership Centre led the development of AMO’s research

Panelists

  • Dr. Erin Tolley from Carlton University is the Canada Research Chair in Gender, Race, and Inclusive Politics and guided the Black on the Ballot initiative
  • Laura Wood is the co-founder of electHER Now, a candidate attraction and support organization that is committed to the gender balance of elected municipal leadership in Grey Bruce 
  • Elected municipal official (TBC)

 
4:20 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.        Clearing the collision at the intersection of voter turnout, civic engagement, and incivility: exploring the connections and ways to navigate this particularly important challenge
  • Stewart McDonough, Lead, AMO’s Healthy Democracy Project
  • Dr. Chris Erl, Researcher, Democratic Engagement Exchange, Toronto Metropolitan University