Katelynn Giurissevich

The task force discussed the presentation and amendment of the Draft Affordable Housing Strategy, which included revisions to provincial policy statements, unit targets, and budget paragraphs. Updates were provided on the Affordable Housing Subsidy Program, including the feasibility of creating such a program under the Municipal Act, and the Town's Housing Needs Assessment project intended to identify housing gaps for future grant opportunities. Discussions also covered the Canada-Ontario Housing Partnership HST relief program, provincial development charge cuts, and a potential new multi-residential property tax sub-class.

The Council discussed and supported correspondence from the Municipality of Wawa concerning potential changes to school board governance structures, including the possible elimination of elected trustees. The Council resolved to write to the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Education, and various educational and municipal stakeholders to advocate for a comprehensive province-wide consultation process prior to any legislative decisions regarding school board governance.

The Council formally supported correspondence from the Village of Burk's Falls regarding the retention of the Cancer/Oncology Clinic at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital site. A resolution was passed to officially receive and support this request.

The council discussed the recent severe weather event and its impact on the community, including damage to the fairgrounds and the emergency responses taken, such as the activation of cooling centers and debris removal efforts. The council recognized the 2026 Senior of the Year recipient. Additionally, EMS officials presented on the upcoming implementation of a new medical priority dispatch system designed to improve emergency response efficiency by better distinguishing between call acuity levels.

The Council reviewed and supported correspondence from the Township of Amaranth regarding the need for equitable representative operational budget funding for all Ontario municipalities. A resolution was passed to formally advocate for this funding to the Province of Ontario, with instructions to send letters of support to the Premier of Ontario, the local Member of Provincial Parliament, and the Leader of the Official Opposition.