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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: February 2, 2026 Report Number: LGS-005-26
Authored By: Laura Preston, Temporary Committee Coordinator
Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor, Legislative Services
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Appointment to the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington,
Ganaraska Forest Recreational User Committee, and Samual Wilmot
Nature Area Management Committee
Recommendations:
1.That Report LGS-005-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2. That the removal of Chris Ennis, from the Agricultural Advisory Committee of
Clarington, the resignation of Karen Graham from the Ganaraska Forest
Recreational User Committee, and the resignation of Patrick Bothwell and Lou Itier
from the Samual Wilmot Nature Area Management Committee, be received with
thanks;
3.Cheniveerappan be appointed to the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington
for a term ending December 31, 2028, or until a successor is appointed;
4.That the Committee consider the applications, in accordance with the
Board/Committee Management Policy, for appointments to the Ganaraska Forest
Recreational User Committee, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management
Committee, and that the vote be conducted to appoint the citizen representatives, for
a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed; and
5.That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-005-26 and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
GG-030-26
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report LGS-005-26
Report Overview
This report is intended to provide background information regarding the vacancies on the
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington, Ganaraska Forest Recreational User
Committee, and Samual Wilmot Nature Area Management Committee to assist in the
appointment process.
1. Agricultural Advisory Committee Clarington (AACC)
Background
1.1 The Committee helps Municipal staff identify any agricultural-related issues and make
recommendations to Council. The Committee provides Council and staff with an
agricultural perspective on many issues that impact the industry. It also provides advice
on municipal policy and by-laws as they relate to agriculture.
1.2 The Agricultural Advisory Committee is comprised of 11 voting members appointed by
Council, including:
• Ten citizen members
• One member of Council
1.3 The Committee requirements are as follows:
• One member shall be a volunteer representative from the Durham Region
Federation of Agriculture
• All members must be residents of or own property in Clarington
• Members are selected based on various farming interests and experiences (dairy,
beef, apple, greenhouse, cash crops, hog, poultry, etc.) and shall possess
knowledge of agricultural issues within Clarington, technical training in an
agriculture-based field, or be currently involved in farming activities.
1.4 Chris Ennis was appointed to the AACC in December 2024, for a term ending
December 31, 2028, or until a successor is appointed. In October 2025 the Clerk’s
Division received notification from the AACC of their removal.
1.5 There is one vacancy for a term ending December 31, 2028, or until a successor is
appointed. Staff received an application from Arvind Cheniveerappan. Committee may
appoint Arvind or direct Staff to re-advertise.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report LGS-005-26
2. Ganaraska Forest User Recreational User Committee (RUC)
Background
2.1 The purpose of the Ganaraska Forest Recreational User Committee is to provide advice
to the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA) on:
• Development of standards and guidelines for each recreation use occurring in the
Ganaraska Forest
• Monitoring and assessing the impacts people have on the Forest based on available
funding
• User conflicts within the Forest
• Use conflicts with landowners of property abutting the forest
• Approval of groups use of the Forest in an effort to reduce conflicts, ensuring safe use
and reducing liability
The Committee will also assist with:
• The identification of property boundaries
• Informing users of their responsibilities and the regulations surrounding the forest
• Promotion of co-operation among the various users of the forest
• The development of recreation programs and/or events in the forest subject to approval
of the Conservation Authority
2.2 The Committee requirements are as follows:
• Municipal Appointees will be a member of the public residing in that Municipality and will
be appointed by Council. Each representative will sit on the RUC as a voting member
for a four (4) year term. The RUC will decide a succession plan to ensure the rotation of
the members will provide experience on the Committee at all times. Municipal
appointees will be appointed every four (4) years or as per the Municipality’s policy on
appointments.
2.3 Karen Graham was appointed to the Ganaraska Forest Recreational User Committee in
September 2024, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is
appointed. In November 2025 the Clerk’s Division received notification of their
resignation.
Municipality of Clarington Page 4
Report LGS-005-26
2.4 The Municipality of Clarington is responsible to appoint a representative to sit on the
RUC. Committee may appoint 1 citizen for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a
successor is appointed. The following have put forward an application for consideration:
• Arvind Cheniveerappan
• Abby de Jesus
• Jim Derlatka
• Paul Kravis
3. Samual Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory
Committee (SWNAMAC)
Background
3.1 The Samual Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee is a group of
volunteers appointed by the Municipality of Clarington to assist the Municipality and the
Ministry of Natural Resources in managing the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. The
Committee is also dedicated to preserving and improving the condition of the Nature
Area for the benefit of the wildlife that resides there and the enjoyment of the residents
of Clarington. The Committee plays an educational role for residents and visitors by
organizing public presentations, events and activities related to nature and the
environment.
3.2 The Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee is comprised of 12
voting members appointed by Council and one non-voting member, including
• Eleven citizen members
• One member of Council
• A representative from Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (non-voting)
3.3 The Committee requirements are as follows:
All members must be residents of Clarington, possess various skills, and participate in
the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The required skills
are as follows:
• Technical – interpret the EMP, recommend the annual work plan and provide
leadership during the implementation of projects and monitoring.
• Public Relations – create a public relations strategy focusing on public awareness,
education, and promoting the site.
Municipality of Clarington Page 5
Report LGS-005-26
• Fundraising – create a fundraising strategy aimed at soliciting private funds,
donations-in-kind, and investigating charitable status.
• Volunteer support – responsible for soliciting volunteers and organizing work
programs.
The Committee shall be supported by volunteers, who can be any individuals from the
public who possess various skills or who have an interest in the site and are willing to
participate in protection/enhancement projects or other aspects such as fundraising,
writing, leading walking tours, tree planting, collecting litter, trailblazing, etc.
3.4 Patrick Bothwell was appointed to the SWNAMAC in January 2023, for a term ending
December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In November 2025 the Clerk’s
Division received notification of their resignation.
3.5 Lou Itier was appointed to the SWNAMAC in May 2025, for a term ending December
31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In December 2025 the Clerk’s Division
received notification of their resignation.
3.6 Currently the SWNAMAC has 10 voting members, therefore Committee may appoint 2
citizens for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The
following have put forward an application for consideration:
• Arvind Cheniveerappan
• Michael J. Henderson
• Doug Rapley
4. Advertising and Applications
4.1 The Municipal Clerk’s Division placed an advertisement in the local paper and on the
Municipality’s website, www.clarington.net/Commitees, to fill the vacancy on the
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington, Ganaraska Forest Recreational User
Committee, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Committee.
4.2 To extend the reach of our advertisements for vacancies, the Clerk’s Division has
created a profile on the www.claringtonvolunteers.ca website. Vacancies on the
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington, Ganaraska Forest Recreational User
Committee, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Committee were listed on
the Clarington Volunteers website.
4.3 In accordance with the “Board/Committee Management Policy”, a confidential
application package has been attached, as Attachment 1.
Municipality of Clarington Page 6
Report LGS-005-26
5. Financial Considerations
5.1 Not Applicable.
6. Strategic Plan
6.1 L.4.1: Increase opportunities for civic engagement and public participation.
7. Concurrence
7.1 Not Applicable.
8. Conclusion
8.1 It is respectfully recommended that Committee consider the vote to make the
appointments to the Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington for a term ending
December 31, 2028, or until a successor is appointed, the Ganaraska Forest
Recreational User Committee, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management
Committee for a term ending December 31, 2026 or until a successor is appointed.
Staff Contact: Laura Preston, Temporary Committee Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2106 or
LPreston@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Confidential Application Package (Distributed Under Separate Cover)
Interested Parties:
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
All Applicants
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington
Ganaraska Forest Recreational User Committee
Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management