Retirement of Lynn Balfour

March 1st, Vaughan, Ont. – The OBOA announces that effective March 31, 2023, Lynn Balfour, Interim CAO and Director of Education will be retiring from the OBOA.

For more than 35 years, Lynn has been a key member of the Ontario building industry, including seven years as the Chief Building Official for the County of Brant.

From 1994 – 2000, Lynn served as a Board member with the OBOA, and then again in 2004 – 2011. In 2007, she became the first female President of the OBOA, leading the organization through initiatives such as the first proposal to the Ministry for self-management, a re-branding of the organization and a by-law review.

In 2016, Lynn left her municipal role to oversee the creation and maintenance of technical training content to support member programs in her role as the OBOA Director of Education Development.

“It has been a privilege to spend my working career in the public service and to serve our members,” says Lynn. “Our industry has seen an abundance of change and I know OBOA will continue to be at the forefront advocating for the next generation of professional building officials to ensure continued building safety in Ontario.”

“On a personal note, I treasure the many friends, co-workers, colleagues, and students I’ve met and engaged in friendly debate with on code issues over the years, and I know our paths will continue to cross. As we have said time and again, we are just one big family.”

“Lynn is a true trailblazer,” says Joyanne Beckett, OBOA President. “She has inspired me and many women in the Ontario building industry with her knowledge and leadership throughout her time as a building official and a member of the Board of Directors for the OBOA. We thank Lynn for stepping in as the Interim CAO which supported the organization through the transition in the search for a new leader.”

Lynn assumed the role of Interim CAO for the OBOA in August 2022, and provided strong leadership to the staff, Members and the Board of Directors. Her guidance and insight helped the organization prepare for the transition to a new CAO.

The OBOA Board of Directors thanks Lynn for her dedication and contributions to the OBOA and service to the building industry. We wish her the best in future endeavors.

Please join us in thanking Lynn for her service and offering congratulations on her retirement.

About the OBOA

Founded in 1956, the Ontario Building Officials Association (OBOA) supports the construction of safer, more sustainable and accessible buildings in Ontario. The OBOA delivers training and certification to Building officials, promotes uniform code application, works with industry partners, and policy makers with a goal to advance the Building Official profession.

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Media inquiries: Priya Ramsingh, Senior Communications Lead,
437-247-2497,  priya@oboa.on.ca