HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-25Electronic Council Communications Information
Package
Date:July 25, 2025
Time:12:00 PM
Location: ECCIP is an information package and not a meeting.
Description: An ECCIP is an electronic package containing correspondence received by Staff for
Council's information. This is not a meeting of Council or Committee.
Alternate Format: If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the
Accessibility Coordinator, at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
Members of Council: In accordance with the Procedural By-law, please advise the Municipal Clerk
at clerks@clarington.net, if you would like to include one of these items on the next regular agenda
of the appropriate Standing Committee, along with the proposed resolution for disposition of the
matter. Items will be added to the agenda if the Municipal Clerk is advised by Wednesday at noon
the week prior to the appropriate meeting, otherwise the item will be included on the agenda for the
next regularly scheduled meeting of the applicable Committee.
Members of the Public: can speak to an ECCIP item as a delegation. If you would like to be a
delegation at a meeting, please visit the Clarington website.
Pages
1. Region of Durham Correspondence
1.1 Item Drop Off for Reuse, Recyling, and Safe Disposal during Environment Days
3
2. Durham Municipalities Correspondence
2.1 Town of Ajax - Public Notice - Ajax Official Plan Review 5
3. Other Municipalities Correspondence
3.1 Municipality of Tweed - Proposals Aimed at Addressing Pressing
Challenges Facing Small Rural and Northern Communities - July 21,
2025
7
4. Provincial / Federal Government and their Agency Correspondence
4.1 Kawartha Region Conservation Authority - 2024 Audited Financial
Statements - July 18, 2025
13
5. Miscellaneous Correspondence
5.1 Minutes from the Orono Business Improvement Area dated July 21, 2025 42
Electronic Council Communications Information Package (ECCIP)
July 25, 2025
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We want to hear from you!
The Town of Ajax is undertaking a review
of the Ajax Official Plan. This notice is to
advise of a Special Meeting of Council
(Community Affairs and Planning
Committee) to be held in accordance
with Section 26(3) of the Planning Act on
Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at
1:00 p.m. This is the first formal
opportunity to learn about this project,
ask questions, provide early feedback,
and to understand how to participate
and stay informed.
Section 26(3) of the Planning Act directs
Council to consult with the approval
authority (Ministry of Municipal Affairs
and Housing), and with other prescribed
public bodies. This meeting is open to the
public to discuss the revisions that may
be required to the Official Plan and may
be examined during the project.
A staff information report will be
available in the agenda for the meeting.
The agenda will be posted by end of
day Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at
ajax.ca/meetings. Alternative formats
of documents and materials can be
made available upon request in order
to assist those who require accessibility
accommodations.
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | 1 p.m. (Hybrid Meeting)
This content is available in alternative formats upon request by contacting 905-683-4550 or emailing contactus@ajax.ca
Public Notice
Ajax Official Plan Review
Page 5
imo.ajax.ca/OPReview
What is an Official Plan?
The Official Plan is a Town land use
document containing goals and policies
that guide the physical, environmental,
social and economic growth of our
community. It establishes a vision through
a land use policy framework.
This next review will focus on planning
for more houses and jobs, and create a
vision for the community to the year 2051,
while conforming to required legislative
and policy changes.
How to Participate
This public meeting is being held
in-person in Council Chambers, located
at Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue
South, Ajax, Ontario, L1S 2H9, and will
be live-streamed for public viewing at
ajax.ca/live.
Those wishing to make oral
submissions can attend in-person and
will have 5 minutes to address Council;
pre-registration is not required for
in-person attendance.
If you are unable to attend in-person,
electronic remote participation via
the Town’s Hybrid Conference System
is available as an option and can be
arranged by contacting clerks@ajax.
ca before 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Friday,
August 29, 2025.
Those wishing to make written
submissions can e-mail correspondence
to OPReview@ajax.ca or submit
through the Town of Ajax website at
imo.ajax.ca/OPReview, before 12:00 p.m.
(noon) on Friday, August 29, 2025.
Next Steps
Further details regarding this project will
continue to be updated on the Town of
Ajax website at imo.ajax.ca/OPReview or
by contacting OPReview@ajax.ca.
Further Notification
To receive further notification about
the Official Plan Review, please visit:
imo.ajax.ca/OPReview to subscribe for
project updates or e-mail your contact
information (full name, mailing address
and e-mail) to OPReview@ajax.ca .
This notice dated July 17, 2025.
Page 6
July 21, 2025
The Honourable Doug Ford
Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
Dear Premier Ford:
It has now been four months since the Municipality of Tweed submitted two detailed
proposals for your consideration, both aimed at addressing pressing challenges facing
small rural and northern communities. Despite our sincere efforts and outreach, we have
yet to receive an acknowledgment or response from your office, your ministers, our local
MPP, or the leaders of the opposition parties. This silence is deeply disheartening.
Please know that the Municipality of Tweed is grateful for your commitment to investing
billions to protect Ontarians as promised in this year’s provincial election. We look forward
to the opportunity to capitalize on those investments.
The first proposal, sent directly to your office on March 25, 2025, addressed
the Repatriation of OPP Costs for Small Rural and Northern Communities During this
Period of Uncertainty. Our proposal suggested a temporary repatriation of OPP policing
costs as a meaningful way to demonstrate that this government understands and
supports the needs of small municipalities.
The proposal included two important conditions: first, that OPP costs be repatriated to the
province during this time of economic instability and global uncertainty trig gered by U.S.
policies; second, that the municipalities benefiting from this relief reinvest those savings
directly into community infrastructure projects. In Tweed’s case, the annual savings of
$1.2 million would allow us to undertake long-overdue infrastructure upgrades that we
simply cannot afford under the current burden of provincial policing costs.
The second proposal, submitted March 27, 2025, focused on Supporting Small Rural and
Northern Ontario Housing Developers and aligns with your government’s own priority to
reduce barriers to housing development. This proposal was presented to Minister Surma,
AMO President Robin Jones, and MPP Ric Bresee at the 2025 ROMA Conference.
During our January 19, 2025 ROMA delegation, Minister Surma expressed interes t and
committed to raising it with then-Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Paul Calandra.
We revisited the proposal with MPP Bresee during a March 13th meeting and have since
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shared it with ROMA President Christa Lowry, Federal Minister of Housing and
Infrastructure Minister Robertson, and Prime Minister Carney.
We have copied the leaders of Ontario’s three main political parties on this letter, as we
did when the proposals were originally submitted. We respectfully ask all parties —
regardless of political affiliation to consider their merit and potential, and to speak to them
in the Legislature. We are eager to work with any partner committed to helping rural and
northern Ontario succeed.
Both proposals offered practical, shovel-ready ideas grounded in lived rural experience.
And while we remain grateful for ongoing provincial support through the Ontario Municipal
Partnership Fund (OMPF: $2,058,700) and the Ontario Critical Infrastructure Fund (OCIF:
$340,000), it must be acknowledged that these funds are no longer sufficient to meet the
growing financial and infrastructure burdens faced by communities like ours. To manage
persistent shortfalls, Tweed Council has had to implement tax increases of 7.3% in 2023,
17.8% in 2024, and 15% in 2025. The burden this places on our residents is both
significant and unsustainable.
Given that four months have passed without acknowledgment, I am resubmitting both
proposals for renewed consideration. It is deeply concerning t hat when a small rural
municipality—operating with limited resources and under significant financial strain —
takes the initiative to present tangible and constructive solutions, those efforts are met
with silence. We expect such outreach to be met with dialogue. The absence of even
basic acknowledgment sends a troubling message: that rural and northern municipalities
are to be seen but not heard. Furthermore, I have reached out to AMO and ROMA and
unfortunately my faith in both organizations as effective advocates in this regard is waning.
As I have made clear to all parties, I remain more than willing to serve as an engaged
and constructive member of any committee or working group convened to address the
challenges before us. The situation is serious. Many of us are teetering on the brink. The
time to act was yesterday.
I respectfully request your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
Yours truly,
Don DeGenova
Mayor
Municipality of Tweed
255 Metcalf St.
Tweed ON K0K 3J0
mayor@tweed.ca
613-848-7113
cc. Minister Surma, Minister of Infrastructure
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Minister Flack, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Minister Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance
Minister Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs
MPP Ric Bresee
MPP M. Stiles, Leader of the NDP and Leader of the Opposition
Ms. B. Crombie, Leader of the Liberal Party
MPP M. Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party
Robin Jones, President, AMO
Christa Lowry, President, ROMA
Warden Bonnie Clark, Chair, Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus
Bob Mullin, Warden Hastings County
A copy of this letter has also been sent to all rural and northern Ontario Mayors.
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Proposal to Repatriate OPP Costs for Small Rural and Northern Communities During this
Period of Uncertainty
July 21, 2025 (Originally submitted March 25, 2025)
As Mayor of the Municipality of Tweed, I am representative of many small rural and northern
Ontario communities that face growing financial pressures. Even in the best of times, we operate
with limited resources, and now, the threat of President Trump’s tariffs only intensifies our financial
stress. Municipalities with populations of 10,000 or less are particularly vulnerable. We grapple
with the same issues as larger cities—housing shortages, food insecurity, homelessness,
healthcare concerns, inflation, and an overwhelming infrastructure funding deficit—but with far
fewer financial resources and staffing capabilities. Unlike urban centres, which have access to
additional funding streams and economies of scale, small rural and northern communities struggle
to provide essential services with minimal support. Moreover, we are disproportionately affected
by extreme weather events, further straining our already fragile infrastructure and emergency
response capabilities. Without immediate and targeted assistance, many of our communities risk
falling into economic and social decline.
With that in mind, we propose a temporary solution that would demonstrate your government’s
support for small rural and northern Ontario. Premier Ford, has stated that securing a strong
majority was essential to investing billions in response to the Trump tariffs. Repatriating OPP
policing costs for small rural and northern communities during this period of economic uncertainty
would be a swift and impactful show of support. This initiative would immediately benefit 330
municipalities at a cost of less than $600 million. In the context of multi-billion-dollar expenditures,
a $600 million investment is a meaningful way to show small municipalities that they matter.
This initiative could be structured with two key conditions: it would remain in place while Ontario
remains vulnerable to economic pressures, and the funds saved by municipalities would be
reinvested into critical infrastructure projects. For example, such a measure for the Municipality
of Tweed would free up approximately $1.2 million, allowing us to address urgent infrastructure
needs and support our local economy.
We need all levels of government to recognize that small rural and northern municipalities are
extremely vulnerable and now more than ever we need governments so show that they stand with
small municipalities. We look forward to discussing our proposal with you.
Don DeGenova
Mayor
Municipality of Tweed
255 Metcalf St.
Tweed ON K0K 3J0
mayor@tweed.ca
613-848-7113
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Proposal to Support Small Rural and Northern Housing Developers
July 21, 2025 (Originally submitted March 27, 2025)
The Municipality of Tweed supports all efforts to remove barriers to housing development.
To demonstrate our commitment, we have proactively revised our zoning bylaws to
encourage housing densification and affordability. We now permit tiny homes (400 –600
sq. ft.), smaller homes (900–1200 sq. ft.), mobile homes on rural lots, reduced lot sizes
and setbacks, and fewer parking space requirements. Additionally, we do not impose
development fees. These measures aim to diversify our housing stock, enhance
affordability, and minimize environmental impact.
Our commitment to housing expansion is already delivering results. We are collaborating
with builders to develop a 80-unit retirement community and a retirement home,
complementing our existing 120-bed extended care facility. In 2024, the Municipality of
Tweed led Hastings County in housing starts, issuing 122 building permits, including 38
new homes and a 25-unit geared-to-income apartment complex. Last year, we hosted a
Developers Forum, where local developers presented subdivision plans that could bring
over 600 new homes to our community within the next five years.
We made a $4 million+ investment in our lagoon that will allow us to accommodate
another 1500 homes. Our current well enhancements allow us to service an additional
750 homes. We are investigating future new water sources to allow us to reach our target
of 1500 homes.
However, infrastructure costs for new subdivisions remain a significant barrier. Unlike
large urban developers, small rural developers lack the financial backing of major
investors and must independently finance subdivision infrastructure, making projects
cost-prohibitive. There is a growing perception that federal and provincial housing
investments are disproportionately focused on large urban centers, despite billions of
dollars being allocated to housing initiatives.
Our proposal seeks financial assistance through interest-free loans for small rural and
northern developers to cover infrastructure costs. These loans would be repaid as homes
are sold, ensuring the government recoups its investment with the only cost being interest.
Unlike current urban housing initiatives—where both principal and interest fall entirely on
the province and federal government—this model ensures fiscal responsibility.
Additionally, rather than the standard 25–30-year amortization period, our proposal
anticipates repayment within five years, making it a practical and innovative solution to
the housing crisis in small rural and northern communities.
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The demand for housing in regions similar to ours remains strong. Seniors want to age in
place, staying close to friends, family, and their established healthcare providers. When
seniors relocate to urban centers, they leave behind a gap in healthcare continuity at a
critical stage in their lives. Conversely, when seniors transition to retirement communities
within rural areas, they free up existing housing stock for younger families. Additionally,
the influx of urban retirees to rural communities has further driven demand which in turn
increases the housing stock in those urban areas. Housing in small communities like
Tweed can be built at a fraction of the cost compared to large urban centers, offering a
cost-effective solution to Ontario’s housing crisis. The Municipality of Tweed's absence of
development fees provides yet another financial incentive for homebuyers and
developers alike.
Premier Ford, we have answered your call for municipalities to facilitate housing growth.
We urge you to give serious consideration to this proposal, recognizing Tweed as a model
for how rural communities can be part of the solution to Ontario’s housing crisis. We need
all levels of government to recognize that small rural and northern municipalities are key
to helping this country and province resolve our housing crisis. W e look forward to
discussing our proposal with you.
Don DeGenova
Mayor, Municipality of Tweed
255 Metcalf St.,
Tweed ON K0K 3J0
mayor@tweed.ca
613-848-7113
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July 18, 2025
Nicole Pincombe
Director, Business Planning and Budgeting
Region of Durham
605 Rossland Road East
Whitby, Ontario, L1N 8Y9
Nicole.Pincombe@durham.ca
RE: 2024 Audited Financial Statements
Dear Ms. Pincombe,
Section 38(3) of the Conservation Authorities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. C.27 requires that upon receipt of the auditor’s
report of the examination of our accounts and transactions, that we forward a copy of the report to each
participating municipality and to the Minister.
Enclosed is a copy of our 2024 Audited Financial statements approved by the Board of Directors as per resolution
#54/25.
If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to contact myself directly.
Sincerely,
Mark Majchrowski
Chief Administrative Officer
Enclosures: 2024 Audited Financial Statements
cc. Joanne Cermak, Director, Financial Services, Region of Durham
Warren Mar, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Scugog
Ralph Walton, Acting Director, Corporate Services/Clerk, Township of Scugog
Michelle Willson, Chief Administrative Officer, Township of Brock
Fernando Lamanna, Clerk/Deputy CAO, Township of Brock
Mary-Ann Dempster, Chief Administrative Officer, Municipality of Clarington
June Gallagher, Deputy Clerk, Municipality of Clarington
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Orono D.B.I.A. Meeting Minutes
Date: July 21, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
Location: Orono Town Hall – Lower Level
Next Meeting
●Date: September 22, 2025
●Time: 3:00 PM
●Location: Orono Town Hall, Lower Level
1. Welcome and Call to Order
Land Acknowledgement Statement
2. Roll Call
Present: Brad Beckstead, Laura Knox, Will Davies, Peter Klose, Alison Dee, Susan Atkins,
Chad Harmer
3. Approval of Agenda
●Motion: Brad
●Seconded: Chad
●Carried: Approved
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4. Approval of June Minutes
●Motion: Brad
●Seconded: Chad
●Carried: Approved
5. Treasurer’s Report – Financial Statements / Bank
Balance
●Current balance: $2,601.71
●$2,147 allocated toward DBIA’s portion of the social media campaign
●Receipts from the “Meet Me on Main” campaign are still pending
●Amalgamation of DBIA and Events Committee bank accounts led by Scott is in progress
and to be completed by the end of July
6. Presentations / Delegations
Alison Dee (Orono Library)
●“Curious Communities” – Library Card Loyalty Program is ongoing
●A book locker has been installed at the Darlington Sports Center
●Increased participation in summer programming
●Upcoming: LEGO Blast Program – August 26
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Laura Knox (Invest Clarington)
1. RED (Rural Economic Development) Funding
●Discussion:
○RED Funding relaunched with a new focus; Orono is eligible
○Proposal: Side meeting with Chad and Brad to explore application
○Deadline: September 24
●Action Items:
○Schedule side meeting
○Confirm eligibility and funding criteria
2. Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Review
●Discussion:
○CIP currently under review
○Focus on signage, accessibility, and maintaining small-town charm
○Consultant will contact BIAs for input
●Action Items:
○Monitor outreach and provide feedback
○Ensure CIP aligns with Orono business needs
3. Community BBQ Event
●Date: August 24 at Orono Park
●Includes: Jumping castles, free swimming, business booths
●Action Items:
○Coordinate booth setup
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○Promote the event
4. DRPS Camera Request
●Discussion: Request submitted for Durham Regional Police Service cameras
●Action Item: Follow up on request status
5. Ontario BIA Membership / Joint BIA Meeting
●Municipality now a member of Ontario BIA
●CBOT initiative underway
●Joint BIA meeting planned for fall
●Action Items:
○Submit workshop ideas
○Prepare for grant access and partnership discussions
7. Follow-Up Business
Chad Harmer – “Meet Me on Main” Campaign
●Social media campaign progressing
●Video content scheduled for release
●Grant forms submitted
●Jungle Cat World featured in feedback
●Sponsored ads under review
●Action Items:
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○Share video for feedback
○Monitor grant status
○Develop ad strategy
Brad Beckstead – Business Collaboration @ Orono Town Hall
●First Meeting: August 11 @ 5:30 PM, The Pound and Pestle
Agenda:
●Introductions
●Overview of initiative
●Open discussion
●Form working group
●Set future meeting date
Deliverables:
●Meeting minutes
●Contact list
●Summary of action items
Brad Beckstead – Orono Sign Project
●Sign not formally donated to municipality
●Motion passed to donate
●Orono Park considered for installation
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●Municipality reviewing budget
●Action Item: Await municipal feedback
Brad Beckstead – Social Media Management Proposal
●Framework in development (Brad & Chad)
●Focus: Town promotion and digital presence
●Target date: End of September
●Action Items:
○Draft framework
○Include costs and strategies
○Present proposal
Brad Beckstead – Public Washroom Signage Initiative
●Proposal: Voluntary signage for businesses
○Green Sign: Public washroom available
○Red Sign: Not available
●Business owner consent required
●Window stickers to be distributed
●To be voted on at a future meeting
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8. Events Committee
Orono Downtown Antique Festival
●Date: August 9
●Signage placed northbound on Hwy 115
●Laura to explore digital road sign options
Pumpkin Walk (Julie Cashin-Oster)
●Planning to resume in September
●Julie not in attendance
9. Open Floor
●Missing Pride flags noted
●Executive clarified:
○Municipality installs/removes 2 flags for each BIA annually
○DBIA to request this service next June
Statement on Inclusivity
The Orono DBIA reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity and cultural recognition. We actively
support multicultural events, foster partnerships, and ensure that all voices are represented in
our initiatives and communications.
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10. Adjournment
Time: 3:46 PM
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