Persuasive Writing in Practice: Document Preparation for the OLT
Date:
January 30, 2026
Location:
Virtual - Zoom
Time:
9:30 AM (EST)
Virtual Workshop
Date: January 30, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
CPL: 2 Units
Please note: This course is offered twice a year. The second offering will be in-person: Persuasive Writing in Practice - May 20, 2026.
| Registration in this workshop is intended for one person only. Virtual and AI recording is not permitted. For accessibility requests or questions, please contact events@ontarioplanners.ca. |
Preparing for the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) can be an exciting – and daunting – process. How do you and your team ensure your documentation is clear, persuasive, and helps to secure a successful outcome?
Persuasive Writing in Practice: Document Preparation for the OLT is designed to complement OPPI’s Planner as an Expert Witness course, focusing on the preparation of agreed statements of fact, witness statements, evidence outlines, and settlement affidavits. We also discuss efficient set-up of visual evidence and document books. The session includes examples, interactive exercises, and pre-recorded interviews with adjudicators and lawyers who work with the OLT.
This session is suitable for new and mid-career planners who have no or little experience with preparing for the OLT. Planners will learn to apply specific writing techniques for presenting evidence and technical analysis that informs and influences adjudicators, gain a greater understanding of the process of presenting expert evidence, and develop greater confidence in their ability to write persuasively when the stakes are high.
Facilitator(s):
Lisa Orchard, (M.Sc.Pl.)
Lisa D. Orchard is an urban planner skilled in technical communications. It’s a unique combination! As an editor, writer, and instructor, she helps others tell their stories with documents that are clear, engaging, and effective. Since launching Scribe Technical in 2019, Lisa has worked with clients in government, industry, and non-profits who are changing the ways we think about and shape our communities.
David Sajecki, MCIP RPP M.PL B.Eng LEED AP
David Sajecki is a Co-Founder of Sajecki Planning Incorporated. He has directed and managed projects for a variety of public and private-sector clients. David’s diverse and extensive experience includes official plan review, secondary plans, urban design guidelines, growth management strategies, municipal-wide zoning by-law reviews, major transit station area studies, development feasibility studies, development approvals and serving as an expert planning witness for municipal clients and private landowners at the Ontario Land Tribunal
Prior to his time at Sajecki Planning, David worked at Brook McIlroy Inc. where he was an Associate and Director of the firm’s Transportation Studio. David has also served as the first Senior Advisor for the Union Pearson Express as an Advisor with Metrolinx’s Strategic Policy and Systems Planning department and as a Development Manager for the Province of British Columbia.
David holds both a Master of Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering from Queen’s University, as well as a Diploma in Urbanization and the Environment from Fudan University in China.
Fees:
Members: $225 + HST
Non-Members: $250 + HST
OPPI Student Member/Retired Member: $190 + HST
Writing Skills Package - SPECIAL DISCOUNT:
This workshop is part of the three-workshop Professional Writing Skills Package. When you register for any 2026 workshop in the package (Writing Skills, Persuasive Writing or ChatGPT for Planners) you will receive 5% off your next workshop in 2026:
1. ChatGPT for Planners - Feb 25, 2026
2. Non-Technical Language for Business and Planning - May 12 & 14, 2026
Email us at events@ontarioplanners.ca
to get your promotional discount code.
