St. Catharines Municipal Development Corporation Board of Directors Application Form

We are recruiting for two members of the public to join the Board of Directors. 

The St. Catharines Municipal Development Corporation (MDC) was incorporated in 2024 to deliver initiatives that will create more attainable and affordable housing. The MDC will act as the lead developer and marketer for City of St. Catharines-owned real estate assets through negotiation and partnership development with the private sector. The MDC aims to facilitate one of the City's mandates for the creation of housing units through collaboration with private sector and non-profit partners to develop housing and mixed-use transit-oriented development of the City's surplus land holdings and the strategic acquisition of properties ready for redevelopment.

Overview of this Application Form

• This form should take 10 to 20 minutes to complete.
• There is no opportunity to save your application and return to it later, so please keep that in mind when you begin your application.
• Page 1 (this page) - Information on the Board, as well as eligibiltiy and application information
• Page 2 - Your contact information.
• Page 3 - Conflicts of interest information.
• Page 4 - Application questions. On this page is where you will provide information on why you should be selected for the Board.
• Page 5 - Optional demographic information.
• Page 6 - Consent form. 

Skills Sought by the Board for new Director

The MDC is guided by the following principles, which function as rules-of-thumb for its decision-making:

• Efficiency: The MDC recognizes that its primary reason for existing is to deliver housing development projects proactively and cost-effectively.
• Innovation: The MDC embraces innovative solutions to urban development challenges, prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and community impact.
• Collaboration: The MDC is committed to working with the City, residents, community stakeholders, and private partners to realize shared goals.
• Integrity: The MDC’s actions are guided by transparency, accountability, and ethical standards, ensuring its actions serve the public interest.
• Inclusivity: The MDC values and promotes inclusivity in all development projects, in support of equitable benefits and opportunities for all community members.
• Heritage Preservation: The MDC is dedicated to preserving and integrating St. Catharines’ rich heritage into development initiatives, honouring the past as it builds for the future

Based on these guiding principles, the Board is seeking applicants with the following skill sets: 

1. Strategic Thinker
2. Communication and Collaboration
3. Project Management

While previous Board experience is preferable, it is not a requirement.

Board Eligibility and Meeting Information

In addition to all requirements under the Ontario Business Corporations Act, to be eligible to serve on the Board you must:

1. Reside in St. Catharines OR be the owner / tenant of land in St. Catharines for the duration of your term (or spouse of same);
2. Be 18 years of age or older;
3. Not be prohibited from voting in a Municipal Election as per section 17(3) or 92 of the Municipal Elections Act;
4. Be eligble under the requirements of the City's Public Appointments Policy;
5. Per the business case to establish the MDC, public members of the MDC are not to be suppliers of goods or services to the City, have an employment or other interest in an organization that is involved in a real estate transaction with the City or be currently involved in litigation with the City.

A Few Notes About Serving as a Board Member

• This is an unpaid, volunteer position.
• The appointments will last last until fall 2026 (coinciding with the term of St. Catharines City Council).
• The 2025 Meeting dates are as follows (special meetings can be added at the call of the Chair): 
  • Monday, March 31 - 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, June 23  - 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, September 22  - 3:30 p.m.
  • Monday, December 8  - 3:30 p.m.
• It is important that Directors attend all meetings. Not only does attendance ensure quorum is met, but proper attendance allows for better discussion of agenda items.
• Meeting are held at St. Catharines City Hall, but electronic participation via Zoom is offered. 
• Meetings typically last for less than an hour. 
• The public may observe meetings in person. 

Everyone is Encouraged to Apply

We want input from diverse voices. To encourage participation and promote a diversity of skills and perspectives, the MDC and the City of St. Catharines both have adopted the general concepts of equity, accessibility and accommodation to ensure that all citizens have equal opportunity and that the composition of boards reflect St. Catharines’ diversity and demographics in such areas as gender, geographic representation, age, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic background and ability. 

Application Assistance 

We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process.

If you require assistance with the online application form, or would like to apply in an alternative format, please contact the Corporate Secretary for the MDC at emcginty@stcatharines.ca or call 905.688.5601 ext. 1512. 

Application Process

1. Submit your application using this form. Applications are due by May 30, 2025 at noon.
   • Applications will only be accepted using this online form.
   • Applications must be completed in full to be accepted.
   • For an application to be considered "Completed in Full" you must see the "Thank You" page, which is the last page of this online form.
   • Upon completion of the application form you will receive a notification email advising you that your application was received. 
2. Applications will be reviewed by a nominating panel. The names of the individuals recommended for appointment will then be provided to City Council for approval.  
   • A confidential memo will be sent to City Council containing the names of the individuals recommended for appointment. The names are provided through a confidential memo as public discussion of the merits of individual applicants could be considered a personal matter about identifiable individuals.
   • The appointments approved by Council will be published in the meeting minutes.
3. We anticipate the new directors will be approved in June 2025, and begin attending meetings of the Board thereafter. 
4. All applicants will be notified whether their application was successful or unsuccessful.