FAQs
This renamed department will include Engineering Services, Linear Infrastructure, Water and Wastewater and Environmental Services.
A new General Manager will be recruited.
This department will continue to manage corporate services such as Human Resources and Organizational Development, Legal and Clerks Services, Information Technology, Financial Services, Corporate Security and By-law, Fleet and Facilities.
Data, Analytics and Change will move here from the Office of the CAO.
This new department will merge the current Community Safety and Community Development departments (minus Transit Services).
It will also include Fire Services and Paramedic Services, and each of these services will have their own dedicated Chief.
Housing Operations will merge into the Housing Services division.
A new General Manager will be recruited.
Economic Development, Building Services and Planning Services will join together for greater collaboration in this new department.
The department will also include Transit Services and Infrastructure and Capital Planning Services.
A new General Manager will be recruited.
We will continue to post updates here on Over to You as things progress. This is also where you can access the organizational chart and the FAQ document.
Watch for updates in the CAO’s weekly email message.
Continue to speak with your supervisor if you have questions or concerns.
Why is this organizational redesign happening?
Given the number of current senior staff vacancies and upcoming retirements, we are recruiting the next generation of executive leaders at the City and taking the opportunity to realign responsibilities across departments to improve efficiency and meet future service demands
As an organization, we know we need to enhance our focus on community wellbeing, growth and development, environmental sustainability, housing and community safety. Our current circumstances provide a unique opportunity to strategically address these key priorities.
What are the big differences between this redesigned structure and the current one?
The redesigned structure will still have four General Managers, but department names and some of the functions and alignments within them will change. Here’s an overview:
Community Infrastructure Department
Corporate Services Department
Emergency Services and Community Wellbeing Department
Growth, Development and Environmental Sustainability Department
The Office of the CAO will continue to oversee Communications and Community Engagement and the organization’s large, strategic projects such as the Event Centre and the Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square.
Why now? Why not wait until a new CAO is in place?
The CAO position is posted and we are actively recruiting, but that process will take time – a new CAO will likely not be in place until the second quarter of 2025. This change is one of several steps we’re taking to prepare a strong foundation for our new CAO and position the organization to be responsive to Council needs and strategic priorities
Is this about downsizing? Is there a chance I'm going to lose my job?
This redesign will not cut jobs or employees. In fact, it introduces some new positions – namely, two separate Chiefs responsible for Paramedic Services and Fire Services.
How else will this affect my job?
For most employees within the organization, this change will have no impact on their day-to-day work. For some employees, it will mean moving to a new department or a new Director or General Manager. We will share more information with those employees as details are ironed out.
When will these changes come into effect?
The redesigned structure will be phased in over the next several months.
Department name changes will be processed as new General Managers are hired. For divisions that will move to a new department and report to a new General Manager, this change will happen over the next three to four months with a goal of having the new organizational structure complete and in place by the end of April 2025. More information will be shared with directly affected areas as details are finalized.
I recently applied for a job in another department. Will this change affect existing job postings?
These changes will not affect existing job postings.
Any change to department names will be processed once new General Managers are hired.
What is the financial impact of this change?
This redesigned structure proposes the addition of two net new positions. We expect it will take some time to fill these positions, so these costs have not been included in the 2025 budget. Once the proposed changes are fully implemented, there will be an estimated ongoing annual operating cost of up to $525,000 to cover the salary and benefits of these new positions. Any additional resource requirements will be included in the 2026 budget.
The redesigned structure also proposes a temporary assignment for the Strategic Project Lead. The salary and benefits costs associated with this position will be shared equally by the Cultural Hub and Arena/Event Centre capital projects.
Where can I find more information?
There are several ways to stay informed:
What if I have questions or concerns?
If you have questions that are not addressed here, talk to your supervisor or post your questions here on the Over to You page and we will do respond.