Janice Lavalley

This marketing plan for Selwyn Township outlines strategies to support key economic sectors identified in the 2018 Economic Development Strategy. It focuses on three main objectives: attracting day-trippers through local shopping and seasonal activities; attracting new residents, specifically young families and retirees; and attracting new businesses in areas such as development, trades, professional services, senior services, and retail. The plan includes various campaigns and action items designed to enhance tourism, promote local amenities, and foster economic growth within the Township.

This Economic Development Strategy for the Township of Selwyn aims to foster growth and improve the economic landscape by leveraging current assets, uniqueness, and quality of life. It identifies key opportunities for business retention, expansion, and attraction across five sectors: Development & Trades, Professional Services, Retail, Senior Services, and Tourism. The plan seeks to create an environment where local businesses can thrive, supporting a sustainable, balanced, and investment-ready community with a vision for a progressive and prosperous future.

The meeting served as a discussion for the draft 2026 budget (Operations) and involved interim approval considerations for the 2026 taxation and area rate budget. Key discussions included a report on proposed building permit fee updates, focusing on introducing fees for enforcement activities and addressing interior alterations and renovations to ensure cost recovery. The council also reviewed capital projects, including three large water and wastewater projects for Lakefield slated for 2026, receiving permission to issue tenders for these projects. Furthermore, a presentation covered revenue sources like assessment growth (noting frozen CV values since 2016), and the utilization of provincial and federal grants, such as the Municipal Partnership Grant, noting a deficit in the winter control area that required dipping into reserve funds.

The Regular Council Meeting commenced with a Land Acknowledgment and a Moment of Silent Reflection, noting that meetings are broadcast and recorded. Key agenda items included the consideration of minutes from previous open and special council meetings. The meeting was scheduled to feature a deputation from the City of Peterborough regarding a Social Service Update. Consent Items covered various by-laws and informational reports on recruitment updates and correspondence. A petition regarding prioritizing snow removal at school zones, specifically St. Paul's School in Lakefield, was addressed, with the recommendation that the petitioner be advised that adjustments have been implemented and will be monitored. Business also included discussion of scheduled Special Council Meetings for CAO Recruitment and the introduction of several by-laws authorizing Merger Agreements and a MISA Transfer Payment Agreement.

The meeting began with acknowledgments of the treaty and traditional territory. The council discussed updates from the social services division, covering Ontario Works, housing, homelessness, children's services, and community development. Key social services topics included case worker caseloads (approximately 115), the high percentage of service users citing mental health and addictions as barriers to exiting assistance, partnerships with counseling resources, and an increase in case loads primarily in the county. Housing discussions focused on rent-geared-to-income partnerships, the operation of affordable housing buildings by the local housing provider, efforts to prevent evictions, and the initiation of a 10-year housing and homelessness plan renewal. Homelessness data detailed 937 individuals experiencing homelessness, with 462 experiencing chronic homelessness, and 29% successfully moving to housing. Children's services updates covered the Canadian-wide Early Learning and Child Care program setting a maximum base cost of $22 per day per child, and addressing the waitlist of 3,965 unique children as of October 2025. Community development initiatives included outreach programs like county hubs and drop-in locations, the re-establishment of specialized case managers, and the ongoing work related to Age Friendly Peterborough and community safety planning.