Winning the Talent Game
Workshop Agenda
Wednesday April 9, 2025
7:00 am to 8:45 am
Breakfast
Location: Great Falls Ballroom & Foyer
HOSTED BY
8:45 am to 9:00 am
Morning Stretch – Jennifer McGillis
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
Morning Stretch
Jen McGillis – Certified Professional Ergonomist
A desire to help people and prevent injuries were always at the heart of ‘my why’ but it wasn’t until I started my Master’s Degree, and dived into ergonomics more deeply, that I found my passion – and quickly realized how it could expand my impact on injury prevention. Whether I’m delivering a training session, or partnering with a business to solve an ergonomic challenge, I always strive to stay worker-focused, ensuring that every educational moment or ergonomic solution is grounded in preventing injuries in practical and sustainable ways. I feel privileged knowing that I help guide organizations to a safer workplace every day.
PRESENTED BY
9:00 am to 10:00 am
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
PRESENTED BY
Wednesday - 9:00am - 10:00am
This session will explore the changes in recruitment requirements related to new Ontario laws related to job postings and pay transparency. It will also consider the importance of pay equity in municipal recruitment and retention strategies. Practical examples will be shared on how municipalities can attract top talent while fostering a fair and transparent pay and recruitment culture that supports diversity and inclusion.
The presentation will examine the evolving legal requirements related to recruitment, including new requirements that have recently or are expected to come into force, as well as some long-term compliance issues common to municipalities.
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Sponsor Showcase Session – Coffee Break Incorporated
Location: Great Falls Ballroom & Foyer
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
Wednesday - 11:00am - 12:00pm
This session will address how municipalities can reframe candidate perceptions and position themselves as employers of choice through strategic employer branding.
Through compelling case studies, including the City of Markham’s “You Are Here” brand identity and the City of Thunder Bay’s persona-driven storytelling, the workshop highlights actionable strategies to tackle key recruitment challenges. Attendees will gain practical tools to craft authentic EVPs, shift misperceptions, and activate employer branding across touchpoints—providing the insights needed to adapt and thrive in today’s evolving talent market.
PRESENTED BY
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm
Luncheon and Live Jazz Performance
Location: Great Falls Ballroom & Foyer
HOSTED BY
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
PRESENTED BY
Wednesday - 1:00pm - 2:00pm
You be the Judge: Recruitment and Promotion Edition
A case law update, Bernardi-style! We choose real-life legal cases. We present the facts. You discuss the cases with each other and vote on who should win. Then we reveal what really happened, and the key takeaways that municipal employers must keep in mind. Oh, and we give out chocolate (we did say “Bernardi-style”!).
For this edition, we’ll present labour relations and human rights decisions that say something notable, practical or profound about your obligations in recruitment, posting or promotions. And we will break down the practical advice the case law has to offer for your practice.
Learning objectives:
- Explore real-world human rights cases to understand the implications of recruitment and promotion practices on employers.
- Gain insights into how implicit bias impacts decision-making in recruitment and promotions, and how the law treats it
- Develop strategies for implementing equitable recruitment and promotion practices that align with human rights principles.
- Learn about remedies ordered by arbitrators and human rights tribunals in cases of human rights violations and how to protect your municipality from liability.
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
PRESENTED BY
Wednesday - 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Municipalities face unique challenges in today’s competitive job market, but they also have a significant opportunity to lead the charge on equitable, innovative hiring practices that resonate with top talent. This session will explore how municipalities can develop strong value propositions and employer brands that align with recent changes in statutory and employment practices. Attendees will gain practical insights into creating recruitment strategies that highlight their strengths while complying with legal and regulatory standards in Ontario.
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Sponsor Showcase Session – Coffee Break Incorporated
Location: Great Falls Ballroom & Foyer
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
PRESENTED BY
Wednesday - 3:30pm-4:30pm
The Role of AI in Modern Recruitment: Enhancing Efficiency with Integrity
1. The Recruitment Challenge
- Shortages in qualified candidates and the demand for faster hiring.
- Increasing need for unbiased, consistent screening processes.
2. AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement
- Automates repetitive tasks: credential verification, compliance checks, and applicant filtering.
- Enhances fairness by applying uniformed criteria (e.g., “pass/fail” credential rules).
- Requires human oversight to ensure inclusivity and ethical decision-making.
3. Best Practices for AI in Recruitment
- Define transparent rules aligned with organizational goals.
- Regularly audit AI outputs for unintended bias.
- Combine AI-driven efficiency with human judgment to maintain a personal touch in candidate engagement.
4. Closing Thought
“AI, when used responsibly, empowers executive teams to meet today’s recruitment demands while maintaining fairness, compliance, and inclusivity—key pillars for building trust and fostering long-term success.”
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Spring Workshop Reception
Location: Great Falls Ballroom Foyer
Dress: Business Formal
HOSTED BY
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
OMHRA Spring Workshop Dinner
Location: Great Falls Ballroom
Dress: Business Formal
HOSTED BY
