Raechel Gray, CAO, District of Sooke
Anna Mathewson, City Manager, City of Port Moody
Jeff McConnell, CAO, District of Elkford
Curtis Slingerland, CAO, Central Coast Regional District
Anne Yanciw, CAO, Village of Valemount
2027 CAO Forum
February 16-18, 2027
Victoria
Registration for this event is currently open.
We acknowledge this event takes place on the traditional territories of the
lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) Peoples also known as the
Xʷsepsəm
(Kosapsum) and Songhees Nations.
The CAO Forum is an annual offering for local government Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs)/City Managers to connect, share experiences and in-depth discussions on key topics impacting their work. The forum will feature interactive, two-way discussions with speakers on subjects of interest to local government CAOs and provide an excellent opportunity for frank and open dialogue. This year’s forum includes a lineup of interactive sessions covering topics like fiscal sustainability, leading with authenticity, building the leadership bench, legal updates, and more. A pre-forum workshop is also offered.
Pre-forum workshop registration:
HR and Labour Relations Amidst Economic Uncertainty
Venue
Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
100 Harbour Road Victoria, BC
T. 250.360.2999
Hotel Accommodation Rates until January 18, 2027
Standard Room $219 + taxes
Registration Deadline
February 2, 2027
Registration is limited to CAOs, appointed Deputy CAOs
Forum Fees
Early Bird Rates Until December 31, 2026
$932 + GST LGMA Member
$1,083 + GST Non-Member
Regular Rates January 1, 2027
$1,053 + GST LGMA Member
$1,143 + GST Non-Member
Optional pre-forum workshop:
$254 + GST LGMA Member $284 + GST
Non-Member
In 2027, be sure to update your LGMA membership before registering for this event.
Cancellations are accepted without penalty before February 2, 2027
(No refunds after February 2)
Notice of Filming and Photography: When you attend this event, photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event venue, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction for educational or promotional purposes.
Travel Grants: Through financial support from LGMA's year-round partners, limited grants to offset travel expenses are available for eligible local government professionals attending the 2027 CAO Forum. Review the eligibility requirements and submission form.
Tuesday, February 16, 2027
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Optional pre-forum workshop: Human Resources and Labour Relations Amidst Economic UncertaintyList Item 1
Use this space to elaborate on scheudles, events, or specifics of the course.
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1:00 – 2:30 PM The Collective Bargaining Process: Navigating Union Agreements, Negotiations, and Everything in BetweenList Item 2
Presenter: Jay Sharun, CEO, National Collective Bargaining Institute Inc.
Back by popular demand, this session will explore the full collective bargaining cycle, providing practical insights into preparing for negotiations, understanding the dynamics at the bargaining table, managing expectations of councils and boards, and maintaining productive labour relations between bargaining rounds. Participants will learn and have a chance to discuss common challenges, lessons learned, emerging trends, and strategies for balancing organizational priorities with workforce needs amidst the current economic climate.
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2:30 – 2:50 PM Refreshment BreakList Item 3
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2:50 – 4:30 PM Compensation Philosophies (the Why) & Compensation Policies (the How)
Presenters: Julie Case, Compensation Consultant, Drive OD; John Thomas, CAO, District of Lake Cowichan
This session will explore the relationship between compensation philosophy and compensation policy, helping CAOs build on their understanding of how to align compensation practices with organizational values, workforce realities, and fiscal constraints. Learn and discuss market competitiveness, internal equity, transparency, pay administration, and the role compensation plays in recruitment, retention, and succession planning. Gain insights into developing compensation frameworks that are both sustainable and strategically aligned with organizational objectives.
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4:30 PM Pre-conference workshop ends Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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6:30 PM – 7:00 PM First Time Attendees - Build Your Network Meet & Greet
Harbour Room - Downstairs
New CAOs and first-time attendees are invited to build their network with experienced CAOs at the meet and greet reception with LGMA President Angila Bains, CAO Advisory Committee members and LGMA Board Members.
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7:00 – 9:30 PM Welcome Reception
Harbour Room - Downstairs
Greetings from City of Victoria CAO Jocelyn Jenkyns.
Enjoy the opportunity to network with friends, colleagues and meet new CAOs.
Wednesday, February 17
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7:00 – 7:45 AM NEW Mentor Wellness WalksList Item 2
Join a seasoned CAO and start your day on the right foot with a 45-minute walk along the beautiful Songhees Walkway. Meet in the hotel lobby by the exit doors to Songhees Walkway at 6:50 AM.
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7:45 – 8:20 AM BreakfastList Item 3
Arbutus Ballroom
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8:20 – 8:30 AM LGMA Update
With Candace Witkowskyj, Executive Director
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8:30 – 10:00 AM Capacity and Fiscal Sustainability: Doing More With Less (Without Compromising the Future)
Presenters: Chris Barlow, CAO, City of Castlegar; Colin McClure, CAO, City of Trail; Christopher Paine, Principal, FIT Local Government Consulting; Emily Pagdin, CFO, Connective Group & Principal, ERPIE Advisory Inc
Local governments are facing growing expectations from residents while navigating increasing financial pressures, workforce challenges, and aging infrastructure. This session will explore practical approaches to aligning service levels, organizational capacity, and long-term financial sustainability. Learn and discuss strategies for communicating capacity challenges, integrating asset management into financial planning, and leveraging regional partnerships and shared service opportunities. Participants will learn strategies to help their organizations remain resilient while making steady progress toward long-term goals.
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10:00 – 10:20 AM Refreshment Break Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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10:20 – 11:45 AM Social Media and Public Trust: Navigating Misinformation, AI and Community Expectations
Presenter: Julie Rogers, Julie Rogers Consulting
The communications landscape of local government is evolving rapidly. Social media, artificial intelligence, and the increasing speed of information sharing have created new challenges for local government professionals. In this session, participants will explore practical strategies for maintaining public trust in an era of constant communication. Discuss approaches to identifying and responding to misinformation and disinformation, addressing the growing influence of AI-generated correspondence, and supporting critical thinking and informed-decision making by staff, elected officials, and citizens.
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11:45 AM – Noon Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs Update Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Noon – 1 PM Lunch
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1:00 – 2:30 PM Emergency Operations: Leading Amidst Chaos
Presenters: Brian Doddridge, Village of Clinton; Graham Staff, District of Summerland; Jim Zaffino, Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Emergency Operations Centres require CAOs to lead through uncertainty while ensuring the right people, systems, and resources are in place to sustain the response. This session will explore both the leadership and logistical realities of an EOC activation, including decision-making, staffing and rotations, internal and elected official communications, resource coordination, business continuity, and managing fatigue during extended events.
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2:30 – 2:50 PM Refreshment Break Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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2:50 – 5:00 PM Part 1: Knowledge Café & Networking
Facilitated by: Anna Mathewson, City Manager, City of Port Moody; Jeff McConnell, CAO, District of Elkford
This session will create an opportunity for CAOs to informally discuss common problems and the solutions that are working for them. Participants will first join breakouts based on community size and identify key topics. Key topics will be prioritized and workshopped in the second part the next day.
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6:00 – 9:30 PM Dinner & Networking Evening
Enjoy dinner and networking with your colleagues after a day of learning. Dinner for participants is included with the conference fee, but tickets for an accompanying partner or spouse can be purchased separately for $90 when registering for the forum.
Thursday, February 18
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7:00 – 7:45 AM NEW Mentor Wellness WalksList Item 2
Join a seasoned CAO and start your day on the right foot with a 45-minute walk along the beautiful Songhees Walkway. Meet in the hotel lobby by the exit doors to Songhees Walkway at 6:50 AM.
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7:45 – 8:30 AM BreakfastList Item 3
Arbutus Ballroom
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8:30 – 9:30 AM Part 2: Knowledge Café – Hot Topics
CAOs routinely navigate issues where there is no obvious right answer and where reasonable people may hold very different perspectives. This highly interactive session will create a safe environment for participants to test ideas, challenge assumptions and practice engaging constructively with opposing viewpoints. Participants will debate timely local government issues raised in Wednesday’s Knowledge Café session, sometimes being asked to advocate for a position different from their own.
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and so on
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Thank you to our sponsors!
This program was designed with the input of experienced local government practitioners.
LGMA wishes to thank the following people:
Legal Disclaimer: © 2026 Local Government Management Association of British Columbia. All rights reserved. No part of this product (including LGMA courses, course materials, publications, services, or other product) may be stored, reproduced, transcribed, translated, or transmitted into any other form without prior written permission of the Local Government Management Association of British Columbia. Without restricting the generality of the foregoing, no one may make commercial use or any content of this product (including LGMA courses, course materials, publications, services, or other product), whatsoever, including selling any information, software, products, or services or displaying or otherwise using any content of this public on any website. Access to LGMA courses, course materials, and services are limited to the registrant indicated at time of purchase. Sharing of course access, materials, or other resources is prohibited.
Notice of Filming and Photography: When you attend this event, photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event venue, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition or reproduction for educational or promotional purposes
