Municipal & Public Entity Risk Conference
Thursday, April 23rd, 2026 - 9:30 AM-4:00 PM
Lionhead Golf Club & Conference Centre
Join us for the 3rd annual MPER conference
A full‑day professional conference focused on legal risk, liability, and risk management issues facing municipalities and public‑sector organizations in Ontario.
This conference provides practical legal insights and risk‑management strategies for municipal governments, public entities, and their insurers. The MPER conference is designed as an educational and networking event led by Lerners’ municipal and public law lawyers alongside external subject‑matter experts.
AGENDA
9:00 - 9:30: Registration and Check-In
Complimentary breakfast begins at 8:30 am
9:30 - 10:20: Plenary Session 1
Legal Developments to Watch: Recent Cases and What You Need to Know
Presented by: C. Kirk Boggs, Pino J. Cianfarani, Nada Nicola-Howorth, Stuart Zacharias
This interactive roundtable features senior lawyers discussing recent decisions with significant implications for municipal and public entity risk. Panelists will highlight key rulings, emerging trends, and practical takeaways from cases shaping today’s risk and liability landscape. Through an open, conversational format, speakers will share insights on how these decisions may impact claims handling, litigation strategy, and risk management going forward. This session is designed to keep attendees informed, prepared, and ahead of developing legal issues.
This session contains 50m of Substantive Content
10:20 - 10:35: Break
10:35 - 11:25: Breakout Sessions
SESSION A: Building your Defence – From Investigation to Litigation
Presented by: Nada Nicola-Howorth, Stephen Ronan
Guest Speaker: Jon Kirshenblat BA,CIP - McLarens Canada
Practical advice and creative solutions for the investigation of complex claims to avoid litigation pitfalls.
This session contains 50m of Substantive Content
SESSION B: Municipalities and the Charter
Presented by: C. Kirk Boggs, Stuart Zacharias
An introduction to municipalities’ responsibility to weigh Charter rights and competing interests, with a case study involving proposed political advertising on municipal transportation infrastructure.
This session contains 50m of Substantive Content
11:25 - 11:40: Break
11:40 – 12:30: Breakout Sessions
SESSION A: Managing Complex Claims
Presented by: C. Kirk Boggs, Jennifer Hunter
Guest Speaker: Brett Colville, Senior Municipal Claims Examiner, International Programs Group
This session is a concise, practical session for municipal and public entity risk professionals handling high exposure claims. Senior counsel and a senior claims examiner will share actionable tips for managing difficult matters from first notice of loss through resolution or judgment. The discussion will highlight early issue identification, effective collaboration, and the smart use of technology to improve efficiency, decision making, and outcomes. Attendees will leave with proven strategies for controlling risk and achieving successful results in complex claims.
This session contains 30m of Professionalism Content and 20m of Substantive Content
SESSION B: Behind the Badge: Defending Police Liability Claims
Presented by: Shannon Gaudet, Johann Zico Annisette, Blaire W. Smockum
This session offers a practical look at defending police liability claims. Using fact patterns and video, the presentation highlights how insurers and risk managers can navigate complex claims, evaluate risk early, and support effective defence strategies.
This session contains 50m of Substantive Content
12:30 - 1:45: Lunch & Networking
Lunch followed by desserts, coffee & networking
1:45 – 2:35: Breakout Sessions
SESSION A: On the Road Again... What Road Authorities Need to Know Now
Presented by: Jennifer Hunter, Tyler Macks, Nicole Pelaia
Guest Speaker: Jaden Hodgins, Road Specialist, Intact Public Entities
This session will provide an analysis of recent case law and how these decisions are expected to influence the legal and risk management landscape. The session will also include an update on anticipated changes to the Minimum Maintenance Standards, along with a brief discussion of the emerging law and policy considerations on the use of micromobility devices within the road allowance. Attendees will gain practical insight into how new precedents may affect claims handling and how municipalities can mitigate risk.
This session contains 50m of Substantive Content
SESSION B: Getting it Right: Municipalities working with Indigenous Communities
Presented by: Jason Reynar, Kevin Hale
Guest Speakers: Melanie Pilon, Mayor, Municipality of Wawa & Sara Loft, Principal/Owner, Twai:ne Consulting Inc.
As expectations around reconciliation evolve, municipalities must move from awareness to accountable action. This session examines reconciliation through a municipal risk lens, exploring legal, moral, reputational, financial, and operational responsibilities. It highlights building internal capacity, engaging Indigenous communities through relationship‑based approaches, and advancing shared value in housing and economic development. Real‑world examples will show how collaboration reduces risk, improves outcomes, and strengthens trust—while emphasizing accountability when commitments are made but not meaningfully implemented.
This session contains 50m of EDI Professionalism Content
2:35 – 2:50: Break
2:50 - 3:50: Plenary Session 2
Why People Slip, Trip, Miss, or Misjudge – and What Municipalities Can Do About It
Guest Speakers: Hannah Van Staveren, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., E.I.T. (Associate, Human Factors & Collision Reconstruction) & Rob Parkinson, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Vice President & Practice Lead, Biomechanics & Personal Injury), 30 Forensic Engineering
In this session, Hannah Van Staveren and Rob Parkinson will demonstrate how human factors and biomechanics principles can help municipalities understand why people slip, trip, miss, or misjudge – and how that understanding can meaningfully reduce risk. Through relatable real‑world examples, they will illustrate how cognitive load, perceptual limits, environmental design, and physical tolerances shape the way people navigate and interact with sidewalks, roadways, and other public infrastructure.
Attendees will learn how human factors analysis exposes mismatches between intended design and actual user behaviour: Why certain hazards – like temporary obstructions, signage clutter, visibility issues, or subtle surface changes – predictably lead to incidents; What biomechanics can reveal about injury potential, fall mechanics, and whether a surface or environment meaningfully contributed to an incident; How municipalities can incorporate human‑centred reviews into planning, maintenance, and litigation risk management.
This session contains 40m of Substantive Content
3:50 – 4:00: Closing Remarks
This program is eligible for LSO CPD Hours as outlined in the program agenda.
Guest Speakers
Senior Municipal Claims Examiner
Senior Municipal Claims Examiner
Senior Municipal Claims Examiner
Road Specialist
Road Specialist
Road Specialist
Executive General Adjuster / Casualty Manager – Canada
Executive General Adjuster / Casualty Manager – Canada
Executive General Adjuster / Casualty Manager – Canada
Principal/Owner
Principal/Owner
Principal/Owner
Vice President and Practice Lead, Biomechanics & Personal Injury
Vice President and Practice Lead, Biomechanics & Personal Injury
Vice President and Practice Lead, Biomechanics & Personal Injury
Mayor
Mayor
Mayor
Associate, Human Factors
Associate, Human Factors
Associate, Human Factors
PRESENTED BY
Our Specialty Risk & Insurance Group has one of the largest and most established municipal and public entity-focused practices in Ontario. For more than 35 years, we have defended a broad range of complex insured and uninsured claims, including class actions and appeals, on behalf of municipalities and other public entities.
We have earned a reputation for providing clients with insightful coverage opinions, as well as innovative, efficient, and successful file-handling and defence strategies.