March 21, 2026 - The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) is pleased to announce the release of three new practical leadership resources designed to support Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in strengthening governance, maintaining professionalism, and addressing increasing complexity at the Council table.
Recognizing the evolving challenges facing municipal leaders and the growing impact of incivility, these resources provide clear, experience-based guidance to support CAOs in fulfilling their leadership responsibilities with confidence and clarity.
The newly released resources include:
- Drawing the Line: When CAOs Must Act to Address Incivility and Protect the Organization. This guide supports CAOs in recognizing when behaviour has moved beyond governance disagreement into harmful territory requiring intervention. It reinforces the CAO’s responsibility to protect staff, uphold governance standards, and take action when necessary.
- Quiet Leadership Tool for CAOs: Using Storytelling and Visuals to Support Good Governance and Reduce Tension. This practical tool helps CAOs present information more clearly and effectively through storytelling, data, and visuals—supporting better decision-making and reducing tension at the Council table.
- Transparency, Fair Process, and Fair Treatment Guide. This guide reinforces the importance of consistent, fair, and transparent administrative practices, helping CAOs support strong governance, reduce misunderstandings, and maintain trust with Council.
“These resources reflect the real-world experiences of CAOs across the country,” said President Brenda Orchard and CAO for Lennox and Addington County. “They are designed to provide practical, grounded guidance that supports leadership, protects the organization, and strengthens the Council–CAO relationship, even in the most challenging environments.”
Together, these resources form part of CAMA’s broader commitment to providing relevant, practical tools that support excellence in municipal administration and good governance across Canada.
To access the resources, visit the Toolkit Page of the CAMA website or click on the links above.
CAMA will continue to expand its leadership resources to support effective governance, including an upcoming guide for Mayors/Chairs in leading effective Council meetings, and an updated Council Orientation Toolkit to be released in the near future.
