Special Events

Opening Plenary

Friday November 1, 9:30-11am

Gather with your colleagues to help us officially kick off the Conference at the Opening Plenary! First, get an overview of what’s new at ONPHA from our Board President Ami Patel. 

Next, help us welcome Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark and Romy Bowers, Senior Vice President of Client Solutions at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to the stage to address attendees. 

Then join us as we announce the recipients of the 2019 Kathleen Blinkhorn Student Scholarship, generously sponsored by Enbridge. This scholarship is awarded annually to Indigenous students living in nonprofit housing in Ontario.

Next, help us congratulate the winners of ONPHA’s Award for Excellence, sponsored by Prentice Yates & Clark, honouring a non-profit housing organization that goes above and beyond to address the needs of their tenants and community with imagination and insight.

Finally, enjoy our 2019 keynote speaker, Stéphan Corriveau. Stéphan has just been appointed as the first Executive Director of the Community Housing Transformation Centre, a new initiative under the National Housing Strategy. Until then, he was President of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association (CHRA) and Executive Director of the Quebec Non-Profit Housing Network (Réseau  québécois des OSBL habitation - RQOH).

Stéphan is also Director, North America, of the Housing International Coalition. Over the last 30 years, he has gathered experiences in Canada, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, as field operator, academic and advisor for local, regional and national Non-Profit. He’s been involved in policy-making process, at municipal, provincial and federal levels. He actively contributed to the development of  thousands of new housing units and played key roles in restructuration strategies for big and small NPOs facing significant challenges, including the end of their Operating Agreement, bad asset management and tenant relations. Over his long housing career he has contributed to the development of thousands of new housing units and played key roles in the strategic restructure of NPOs facing significant challenges, including End of Operating Agreements. 

Don't miss out on his insights for housing providers as he shares his expertise and vision for the future. 

Sponsored by

Plenary: Thought leadership: perspectives in housing

Reconvene with your colleagues on the first evening of the Conference and join our panel for a lively discussion on different perspectives in community housing.

Sponsored by: 

Opening Reception

Friday November 1, 6:30–7:30pm

Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar as you catch up, relax and network with old friends and new at the Opening Reception.

Plenary: Centres of Excellence

Saturday November 2, 8:30-10am

ONPHA is currently in the process of creating a Centre for Housing Excellence. What can we learn from those who have initiated centres of excellence in their own sectors? Discover Centres of Excellence and learn how they’re enabling improvements in leadership, best practices, innovation, and training across different sectors.

Dr. Claudia Krywiak, Interim President and CEO, Ontario Centres of Excellence
Michelle German, Vice President, Policy and Strategy, Woodgreen
Derek Rumball, President, The Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf
Purnima Sundar, Acting Executive Director, Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health

Sponsored by: 

Gala Reception 

Saturday November 2, 6-7pm

Join us for cocktails before the 2019 ONPHA Gala. Enjoy refreshments and catch up with your peers in a fun and relaxed environment. Plus, snap a Conference memory and get your picture taken with friends at the photo booth.

ONPHA Gala

Saturday November 2, 7-9pm

Refresh and re-energize after a weekend of learning and professional development. The Gala is your chance to catch up with friends, enjoy a three-course meal and reflect on what we’ve learned over the weekend. 

Join us as we come together as a sector to reflect upon successes and challenges of the past year and to honour our 2019 ONPHA Award winners who have made an outstanding contribution to the community housing sector, including the Innovation and Tenant Achievement Award, sponsored by Enbridge, the Sybil Frenette Leadership Award, sponsored by Yardi, and ONPHA’s Lifetime of Service Award. 

Gala Contest!

This year, your Gala ticket automatically enters you into a random draw to win one free registration to the 2020 ONPHA Conference. View the contest rules.

Sponsored by

Annual General Meeting

Sunday November 3, 9–10am

All members are welcome! Start your morning with a hot buffet breakfast, then join ONPHA leadership to learn about the major directions and decisions that will guide ONPHA’s future.

Voting members will help elect new members to the ONPHA Board of Directors, ensuring that ONPHA keeps working hard for you.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. In order to vote, one voting member per housing organization must register at the AGM registration desk.

Closing Keynote

Sunday November 3, 10-11am

Wrap up the weekend on a high note by taking in our Closing Keynote Address. This year, join Dan Trommater, Empathy Expert and World-class Magician, as he uses a combination of magic and humour to teach practical tools that improve communication, teamwork and leadership at all levels. He is passionate about helping people push past limitations and live more fulfilling lives. Dan delivers thought-provoking and captivating programs that help organizations improve communication and collaboration.