Events
January 13, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. ET
Featured Event
Plan to Get in the Zone!
Elected officials play a critical role in shaping community growth, but with that influence comes risk. This fast-paced webinar will dive into the intersection of zoning, planning, and municipal accountability, offering practical insights on how to support building officials while making informed, legally sound decisions. You’ll learn how municipalities can face liability when land deals or development plans fall through and what you need to watch for to protect your municipality.
Come prepared with your questions and leave with knowledge you can put to work right away.
Meet the Speakers
Tracy Eso, Risk Assessment and Solutions Manager, Intact Public Entities
With over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry, Tracy has created risk management and claims solutions for a myriad of clients and continues to champion the belief that the best risk management practices can be determined by closely examining past claims experiences. Tracy is passionate about delivering unique customer service solutions within the risk management and risk transfer space. Tracy is an instructor for the Insurance Institute of Canada teaching future insurance professionals in the industry. She has spoken at several conferences on topics ranging from Insurance Fraud to Liability Claims.
Jonathan de Vries, Shillington McCall LLP
Jonathan de Vries is a partner and trial and appellate lawyer at Shillington McCall LLP. His practice areas encompass a wide range of municipal and public agency liability issues, including road authority liability, building code liability, misfeasance claims and economic torts. He holds a PhD in law from the University of Western Ontario, with a dissertation on public agency liability in Canadian law. Jonathan has written extensively on municipal liability, insurance law, and litigation issues, with many of his works being published in peer-reviewed journals and cited by courts and legal scholars. He is a regular speaker on these same issues to legal, academic, and industry audiences.
Jonathan obtained his Juris Doctor in 2005, and then obtained Master of Laws with a specialization in international civil litigation in 2006. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 2007. Jonathan has appeared as counsel before the Superior Court of Justice, the Divisional Court, the Court of Appeal for Ontario, and various tribunals. Beyond his litigation work, Jonathan also handles coverage matters for insurance clients, often involving specialized policies or complex losses.
Jonathan is a member of the Canadian Defence Lawyers Association and the Middlesex Law Association.
Past Events
View Upcoming EventsDecember 29, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. ET
The session will highlight the importance of gathering comprehensive and accurate data to support meaningful analysis and better outcomes. Attendees will gain insight into the effective use of incident reporting systems, the role of a formal review and investigation process, how to identify trends and implement targeted training, and how technology can be leveraged to support incident investigation.
December 29, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. ET
Using real case examples, the presenters will unpack how engineering expert reports, such as road condition assessments, signage and sightline reviews, collision reconstructions and human-factors analyses, are prepared, interpreted and applied in defending municipal road claims. Attendees will gain practical insight into the expert’s duty to the court, the applicable engineering standards that guide their work and how these reports inform liability outcomes.
From the claims perspective, we’ll examine how findings from expert reports are used in defending municipalities and how recurring themes from litigation can be turned into proactive risk-management strategies. The session will conclude with a discussion and audience Q&A to explore best practices and how municipalities can strengthen their programs before the next claim arises.
November 27, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. ET
We’ve helped countless clients with contract and waiver reviews, and now we’re bringing that know-how straight to you. Tracy Eso, Risk Assessment and Solutions Specialist will discuss the most common uses of contractual risk transfer and the elements that must be addressed to ensure its effectiveness.
This webinar is pending CE Accreditation for our broker partners.
Meet Tracy Eso
Tracy Eso, Risk Assessment and Solutions Manager, Intact Public Entities
With over 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry, Tracy has created risk management and claims solutions for a myriad of clients and continues to champion the belief that the best risk management practices can be determined by closely examining past claims experiences. Tracy is passionate about delivering unique customer service solutions within the risk management and risk transfer space. Tracy is an instructor for the Insurance Institute of Canada teaching future insurance professionals in the industry. She has spoken at several conferences on topics ranging from Insurance Fraud to Liability Claims.
November 20, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. ET
Risk transfer is one of the most important components of an effective risk management strategy. Contractual risk transfer is so important that IPE has created this webinar series to highlight how best to effectively transfer risk using contracts and agreements. In each session, we will tackle the unique challenges of partnering with non-profits, contractors, or other municipalities and pinpoint the necessary steps to do it right.
Catch-up on past sessions:
Boundary Road Agreements
When municipalities share a boundary, responsibility for the roads that run along or across it can quickly become unclear without a formal agreement. A well-structured boundary road agreement is not just a tool for operational clarity—it’s a critical risk management instrument.
View the recording here.
Lease Agreements
Lease and rental agreements are as varied as the properties they govern: from large warehouses to open fields, to skate-sharpening booths at a rec facility. Effectively transferring risk to the tenant of the space, or in some cases, the landlord, is a foundational responsibility that must be factored into any rental agreement.
Successful Special Events
In the first webinar of the “Transferring Risk Intentionally” series we look at the challenges that municipalities face when organizing special events. From pop-up markets, to parades, though they enliven and bolster community spirit, they can also create unique hazards and unexpected risks that a municipality must address. Oftentimes, dealing with non-profit organizers or community groups adds complexity to the planning of these celebrations.
Securing Safe Roads and Trails
In the second webinar of the “Transferring Risk Intentionally” series we discuss how roads and trailways are one of the most significant areas of responsibility for a municipality. Understanding ways those exposures can be effectively mitigated by the use of contracts as well as partnerships will be the topic of this informative session.
Shared Services and Mutual Agreements
Municipalities across our country share services with neighbouring communities and upper-tier municipalities in order to function effectively and within budget. The agreements between parties are often dated and not properly documented.
View the recording here
November 13, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. ET
November 4, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. ET
IPE is partnering with leading industry experts Alex Bugeye and Bud Kneller from Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions Inc. to bring you a practical, solutions-focused session on improving fleet compliance within the transportation sector. Designed specifically for municipal professionals, this session dives into the root causes of CVOR non-compliance and offers actionable strategies to address performance issues before they escalate.
Learn how your municipality can strengthen their safety programs by implementing effective policies, leveraging technology, enhancing training programs, and maintaining strong record management practices to improve overall CVOR performance and operational safety.
Whether you're managing a small fleet or a large operation, this session will equip you and your team with the tools to boost safety, accountability, and CVOR performance.
Meet Sud Malhotra
Sud Malhotra, Fleet Solutions Specialist, Intact Public Entities
With over seven years’ experience in the transportation industry, Sud has held various roles including Safety & Compliance Manager, and Fleet Manager. Sud began his career in the insurance industry in 2021 with Intact Insurance before transitioning to IPE a year later. As part of the Risk Management Department, Sud ensures IPE’s Municipal & Public Administration and Community Service Organization clients remain proactive and compliant with regional and provincial guidelines as they pertain to fleet and road safety. To advance his industry knowledge and expertise, Sud has received instructor training from the Ontario Safety League and holds a Commercial Driver’s License. He also completed his CRM Certificate from the University of Toronto. As an active promoter of road safety, Sud participates as a member of various industry related organizations including PMTC and the Fleet Safety Council.
Meet Alex Bugeya
Alex Bugeya, President, Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions Inc.
Prior to Frontline, Alex spent 13+ years with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) including time spent as an enforcement officer, facility auditor, provincial audit administrator, and provincial training administrator in the Carrier Enforcement Program Office. Alex’s experience includes being a former certified Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor as well as a former provincial trainer for many courses including hours of service and daily vehicle inspections. Since leaving the MTO, Alex has maintained his involvement with CVSA where he is the Secretary for the North American Inspector’s Championship committee and works as an instructor for their Canadian Industry Roadside Inspection courses.
Meet Bud Kneller
Bud Kneller, Vice President, Eastern Operations, Frontline Commercial Vehicle Solutions Inc.
Prior to Frontline, Bud spent 20+ years with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) including time spent as an enforcement officer, facility auditor, and provincial training support administrator in the Carrier Enforcement Program Office. Bud’s experience includes being a former certified Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor as well as a former provincial trainer for courses including cargo securement. Since leaving the MTO, Bud has maintained his involvement with CVSA where he works as an instructor for their Canadian Industry Roadside Inspection courses.
October 28, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. ET
Clear, timely communication is essential, not just to address the immediate situation, but to maintain public trust and protect your organization’s reputation.
This webinar will walk you through:
- How to plan ahead
- Crafting consistent messaging
- Coordinating with teams
- Managing media relations
- Maintaining your current strategy through regular exercises and reviews.
Meet Kathryn Kolaczek
Kathryn Kolaczek is an entrepreneur and communications strategist who helps other entrepreneurs and brands grow robust revenue growth by creating conversations in communities that matter.
Alchemy Communications is a full service Public Relations firm specializing in traditional and social media strategy and integration, and strategic communications management, including crisis communications. Kathryn earned her PR and social media stripes at The Mompreneur Magazine where she served as the company's CEO and used PR as the main marketing tool for the growing company.
Since that time, Kathryn has created and executed on crisis communications strategies for brands managing national and international product recalls, board governance issues, employee injuries and death as well as environmental crises. In times of brand stress, Kathryn serves to create and clarify the key messages, control the conversation, and offer support to media and communities in need of accurate and timely information.
October 19, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM. ET
October 16, 2025 • 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM. ET
Catch-up on past sessions:
MAPping Your Liquor Host Liability
Municipalities routinely manage risks tied to road maintenance or slip-and-fall incidents, but alcohol service presents a different, and often overlooked, liability exposure.
Whether it’s a beer garden, a wine tasting event, or serving alcohol in a municipally owned facility, the risks are real and potentially costly. This session will explore the hidden liability challenges municipalities face when alcohol is involved, and how to manage those risks effectively.
Tracy Eso is joined by Cynthia Aoki, Partner, Clyde & Co. Canada LLP, to share insights on:
- The importance of a Municipal Alcohol Policy and how that policy affects community partnerships.
- Cases and legislation across the country that impact liquor host liability.
- Areas where liability exposures are often missed and require attention.
- How contractual risk transfer factors into alcohol service in municipal and community activities.