Canadian Evaluation Society - Ontario Chapter

The Art and Science of Creating Effective Infographics
2025-01-23 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Online
Data visualization as a hot topic in the evaluation world, especially in knowledge transfer activities. This fast-paced webinar will focus on a specific type of data visualization, namely infographics – artistic or graphic presentation of data to communicate insights. We will briefly orient infographics in the realm of data visualization, illustrating some different types of infographics. Then our focus will shift to the science of why we should use infographics in our communication suite to our various audiences (clients and funders). We then venture into design theory, calling on the works of data visualization experts Bernard Marr, Stephanie Evergreen, and Garr Reynolds. The bulk of the time will be aimed at specific design elements of graphics, colour, font, and layout, which help us tell the story of our most important element: the data. We will then put these elements together with examples, and then look at resources and tools for infographic production. If time permits, the session will conclude with a short question period.
Learning objectives:
By the end of the Workshop, the participant will be able to:

Compare the different types of infographics and situate them in the greater web of data visualization
Understand the basic tenets of design theory and how the brain process and information
Identify and appraise the design elements of effective infographics
Locate and use various resources and tools for effective infographic production

In addition, this workshop aims to strengthen capacities in line with the following Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice:
2.8 Identify data sources
2.13 Assesses trustworthiness of data
2.16 Reports evaluation findings and results
3.5 Serves the information needs of intended users
4.6 Reports on progress and results
5.1 Uses written communication skills and technologies
About the Faciliator:
A. Sidiq (Sid) Ali, is an expert in education programs, focusing on assessment program development, management and evaluation. He has over 20 years’ experience as an evaluator. Sid combines his skills in psychometrics and evaluation to foster his professional interests in program evaluation capacity-building in the private sector, program development in licensure and certification contexts, as well as in effective data analytics and visualization. Since founding his consulting practice (www.rae-consult.com), he has worked with profession regulators and governing bodies in accounting and financial management, healthcare, law and international sanctions, as well as with the learning and development units of two of the big five Canadian banks. He began his better data visualization journey in 2008, focusing on effective presentation strategies for PowerPoint. He now blogs and speaks about data visualization, and has been an invited guest blogger on Stephanie Evergreen’s effective data visualization blog. He has produced infographics for official CES communications, has conducted a CES national webinar on infographics and has facilitated workshops on infographics for CES-ON and CES-MB. Sid is a Credentialed Evaluator, earned his M.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in Educational Measurement and Evaluation, and was a two-term Director for CES-ON.

Navigating Evaluation Challenges
2025-03-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Online
About This Event:

Join this engaging workshop on “Navigating Evaluation Challenges,” where we will explore the complexities of conducting impactful evaluations in diverse settings. This workshop uses a typology of evaluation challenges commonly encountered by practicing evaluators to frame workshop dimensions. This interactive session will delve into the methodological challenges of data collection, analysis, and validity, helping participants develop strategies to enhance validity and reliability. We will also examine conceptual challenges, such as framing and defining evaluation goals that align with organizational priorities. Ethical considerations will be a focal point, with discussions on transparency, consent, and cultural sensitivity. Additionally, we’ll address cross-cutting issues like stakeholder engagement, resource constraints, and the need for adaptable evaluation frameworks. It includes methodological, conceptual, ethical, as well as cross-cutting challenges. Examples are drawn from academic literature, personal and professional practice to encourage collective reflection, areas for improvement, and lessons learned. This workshop is ideal for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of evaluation practices and overcome common obstacles in their work.
About the Facilitator:
Jane Whynot, MEd, PhD – is a Partner at Goss Gilroy Management Consultants Inc (GGI), Jane has almost 30 years of experience in evaluation and performance measurement. Jane conducts work in all sectors, from employment to small business, from science to culture. Jane has a Masters of Assessment and Evaluation (University of Melbourne) and a Doctorate in Philosophy exploring how GBA Plus is integrated in the federal government evaluation function (University of Ottawa). She is an associate editor at the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation and holds adjunct status at Carleton University. Jane is committed to lifelong learning, is a seasoned keynote and routinely presents at international evaluation conferences including AEA, CES, and PPX symposia. She has designed and delivered training on evaluation, performance measurement, GBA Plus, the integration of GBA Plus in evaluation, and qualitative methods in evaluation over her career.

August 2025 Essential Skills Series Intensive
2025-08-11 08:00 - 2025-08-14 16:00 | Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre, 30 Carlton Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2E9, Canada
This 4-day course was developed by the Canadian Evaluation Society to provide participants with a basic understanding of the main models and practices associated with the profession of evaluation. Prior knowledge of evaluation and of social science research methods is not required. There are no examinations associated with the course, nor is there any homework. Participation in all 15 course modules entitles you to a Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Evaluation Society.
Participants will gain:

Basic knowledge and skills,
Appreciation for essential elements of evaluation,
Capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills, and
Development as an evaluation professional.

The Essential Skills Series is ten self-paced learning modules that cover everything from basics like the objectives of evaluations, all the way through to practical skills such as budgeting and workplan development. The discussion forum encourages knowledge transfer/sharing among participants and instructor, instructor reviewed assignments to guide learners and real-time Zoom learning at the start and conclusion of the course.
Course Competencies
Participants will be able to describe in basic terms:

the uses and benefits of evaluation
common settings in which evaluation takes place
where evaluations and performance monitoring fit in the program cycle
underlying theories related to evaluation, and their implications
the historical and technical context in which evaluation takes place
the range of terminology used in evaluation
causes of, and responses to, resistance
potential misuses of evaluation
cultural considerations in conducting evaluations
ethical considerations with respect to evaluation
evaluation standards
evaluation as a profession
the role of CES, including the CE system
special applications of evaluation
the relevance of, and processes associated with:
identifying evaluation objectives
identifying and engaging evaluation clients and stakeholders, and establishing roles
develop a program profile
creating evaluation questions and indicators
common data collection methods
creating an appropriate and valid evaluation design, including the selection of data collection methods
collecting data, including performance monitoring
data management
assessing data quality
data analysis, including cost effectiveness analysis
determining evaluation scale and budget
project management
synthesis of evidence leading to the development of conclusions and recommendations
evaluation reporting and dissemination
Participants will also gain elementary experience in:

• creating logic models
• developing indicators
• question construction
• creating an evaluation matrix
• writing findings statements
• creating a reporting plan
About the Facilitator
Paul Favaro Ph.D., CE is the Chief of Research, Program Evaluation, and Accountability for the Peel District School Board in Mississauga, Ontario. He teaches management sciences at York University in Toronto.
Dr. Favaro has authored or co-authored articles, chapters, and technical reports, and has conducted professional training workshops in the areas of program evaluation, performance measurement, and research methodology. He is on the editorial board of The Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation. Throughout his career, he has worked as a research consultant to a wide variety of government ministries, educational organizations, charitable foundations, and community-based programs. He has held several executive positions on the board of the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES). In 2010, he was awarded a fellowship in the CES. He is a Credentialed Evaluator by the Canadian Evaluation Society

September 2025 e-Essential Skills Series
2025-09-22 08:00 - 2025-11-29 17:00 | Online
The Canadian Evaluation Society’s on-line ten-week course offers participants with a basic understanding of the main models and practices of evaluation. No prior knowledge of evaluation or social science research methods is required to participate. Participants will gain:

Basic knowledge and skills,
Appreciation for essential elements of evaluation,
Capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills, and
Development as an evaluation professional.

The Essential Skills Series is ten self-paced learning modules that cover everything from basics like the objectives of evaluations, all the way through to practical skills such as budgeting and workplan development. The discussion forum encourages knowledge transfer/sharing among participants and instructor, instructor reviewed assignments to guide learners and real-time Zoom learning at the start and conclusion of the course.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the role of evaluation in the program lifecycle;
Explain common evaluation terms, functions, and approaches;
List the steps in planning and conducting an evaluation;
Describe how common social science data collection methods are used in evaluations;
Describe the value and use of project management concepts in evaluations;
Outline ways to support the use of evaluation findings and produce actionable evaluation reports; and
Recognize evaluation standards and ethical principles and identify their role in the professionalization of evaluation in Canada.

Learners will be expected to:

Complete one module per week independent of the facilitator;
Participate regularly in discussion forums with participants and the instructor;
Complete seven assignments to submit to facilitator for review/feedback

About the Facilitator
Dr. Keiko Kuji-Shikatani, Credentialed Evaluator, is a Canadian Evaluation Society Fellow (CESF), and a CES Credentialing Board member. Keiko has studied embedding monitoring and evaluation systems in organization for her doctoral work which she continues to expand through her evaluation practice for over 35 years. She is an international expert on principle-focused developmental evaluation for learning as we go for continuous quality improvement in the public sector, evaluative thinking, evaluation use, evaluation capacity building, evaluator competencies and professionalization of evaluators. Keiko was instrumental in the development and the operationalization of the Canadian Evaluation Society’s Credentialed Evaluator Designation and documented our Canadian experience for the use of other evaluations societies around the world in a special edition of the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation.

CES Ontario Virtual Conference: Politics, Progress and Possibility
2025-10-21 09:00 - 15:30
Join us for a conference on the theme of Politics, Progress and Possibility! Network, learn, and grow with evaluators like you!
The Canadian Evaluation Society Ontario Chapter (CES Ontario) is pleased to invite evaluation practitioners, researchers, academics, emerging evaluators, and students to join us for CES Ontario’s 2025 Virtual Conference.
Evaluation is a constantly changing field of practice, informed by new and emerging technologies, approaches, and political pressures. We will survey these topic areas, explore their interplays and connections, and discuss how to integrate them into our work.
Topic Areas:

New and next approaches to program evaluation: new evaluation processes, frameworks, and models, alternative funding models, and decolonized evaluation approaches
Technology: how AI (and other tools!) are changing evaluation, and considerations of utility and equity
Political considerations: evaluation politics in Ontario, Canadian, and international contexts, as well as managing projects and stakeholders

Conference participants will:

Gain a deeper understanding of current trends, innovations, opportunities, and challenges for enhancing and integrating approaches in evaluation.
Gain important evaluation skills to address current and future trends.
Enhance connections with other evaluators, networks, and organizations.
Contribute to discussions about the importance of evaluative thinking and evaluation practice in the areas of new approaches, technology, and politics.

Visit our Virtual Conference website for session descriptions, speaker bios, and more!

Winter 2026 e-Essential Skills Series
2026-03-16 08:00 - 2026-05-24 17:00 | Online
Join us for a ten-week facilitated course on the foundations of evaluation.

The Canadian Evaluation Society’s on-line ten-week course offers participants with a basic understanding of the main models and practices of evaluation. No prior knowledge of evaluation or social science research methods is required to participate. Participants will gain:

Basic knowledge and skills,
Appreciation for essential elements of evaluation,
Capacity to apply acquired knowledge and skills, and
Development as an evaluation professional.

The Essential Skills Series is ten self-paced learning modules that cover everything from basics like the objectives of evaluations, all the way through to practical skills such as budgeting and workplan development. The discussion forum encourages knowledge transfer/sharing among participants and instructor, instructor reviewed assignments to guide learners and real-time Zoom learning at the start and conclusion of the course.
Learning Objectives:

Describe the role of evaluation in the program lifecycle;
Explain common evaluation terms, functions, and approaches;
List the steps in planning and conducting an evaluation;
Describe how common social science data collection methods are used in evaluations;
Describe the value and use of project management concepts in evaluations;
Outline ways to support the use of evaluation findings and produce actionable evaluation reports; and
Recognize evaluation standards and ethical principles and identify their role in the professionalization of evaluation in Canada.

Learners will be expected to:

Complete one module per week independent of the facilitator;
Participate regularly in discussion forums with participants and the instructor;
Complete seven assignments to submit to facilitator for review/feedback

About the Facilitator
Tina Sahay has worked in the area of Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement for more than 25 years, supporting governments at the national, provincial and municipal levels in Canada as well as the not-for-profit sector. Tina operates a consulting firm in Toronto and works on client projects in all areas of her specialty of community and public health. She works extensively with vulnerable populations including newcomers, youth and those at-risk for mental health and substance use disorders. Tina also provides training to professionals on various aspects of program evaluation. She is an instructor for the Canadian Evaluation Society and has designed and conducted training programs for Toronto Public Health, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, MOHLTC, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health and York University.
Tina holds a Masters degree in Health Science from the University of Toronto and is a certified Quality Improvement Specialist. Tina is also a credentialed evaluator with the Canadian Evaluation Society.
